Talk Archives

Primates and rainforests in West Texas? Dr. Kirk takes us millions of years back and discovers a time when, if you were walking through parts of Texas, you would hack your way through hot, tropical rainforests and encounter curious primates.

Ten years ago, the New Horizons spacecraft to Pluto launched from the Florida coastline. Dr. Alan Stern, Lead Scientist for the New Horizons Mission, shares the remarkable journey and latest discoveries from the outskirts of our solar system during ‘Hot Science – Cool Talks’.

How are endangered species discovered? How can they save a city? Dr. David Hillis shares the journey for recognizing the Barton Springs salamander as an endangered species.

Many people imagine dinosaurs as these giant lizards or even high intelligent creatures, but how are birds and dinosaurs related? Dr. Julia Clarke shares some surprising secrets about dinosaurs.

Robots have become increasingly more human like as technology advances. Why do we build humanoid robots, and what can they do? How “human” can they actually be?

3D printing is capturing the imagination of makers, futurists, and scientists everywhere. How does 3D printing work? What is the future of 3D printing, and how will it impact our lives?

What is it about human behavior that causes us to ignore the realities of our changing environment and other aspects of sustainability that affect our lives? How does the brain work when it comes to understanding what is happening in the world around us?

Microbes are all around us and inside of us, but how can they help improve our lives? By studying how microbes live and adapt to their environments, we can gain insight into how to benefit human health, develop new and cheaper products, and other advancements.

Why do so many people believe in supernatural phenomena? Is it something we grow up with? Dr. Hood will examine the evidence for this idea, and demonstrate that even rational adults can hold supernatural beliefs that they themselves may not recognize.

How does energy impact the environment and our lives? Dr. Webber provides a sweeping view of energy’s role in society over hundreds of years with fun facts, myth busting, and an optimistic eye towards future technologies and solutions.