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'Predators & prey at Stillwater Public Library April 21
Born to do Science: 'Predators, Prey, and the Games They Play' with scientist Dr. Barney Luttbeg
See below for program overview.
(STILLWATER, OKLA. / April 12, 2012) – The Stillwater Public Library and Monty Harper’s "Born to Do Science" will present "Predators, Prey, and the Games They Play" with scientist Dr. Barney Luttbeg on Saturday, April 21.
"Born to Do Science" is a monthly program that gives students and their families a chance to meet and learn from real, working scientists. The series is hosted by Monty Harper, a local children's musician who composes a song for each program inspired by his guest scientist's work.
Luttbeg is an assistant professor in the Department of Zoology at Oklahoma State University. He will be sharing his research into predator and prey behavior. Using computer simulations, Luttbeg hypothesizes the outcome of various prey and predator strategies, and then compares the results with real life animal behavior.
"It's interesting to try to work out the rules of animal behavior in the wild," said Harper. "If you're a tadpole, you need to eat and not get eaten. How often should you come out into the open to find food for yourself? Is it safer to stay near other tadpoles or better to be off on your own? If you're a predator should you look for places where your prey hangs out or should you stay close to their food source? Dr. Luttbeg is hoping to uncover some of the underlying rules that keep nature in balance."
The presentation will include hands-on activities for the participants.
"We'll not only have the kids thinking like scientists as usual," said Harper, "but also thinking like predators and prey. We will also set up an actual experimental trial with live tadpoles."
“Born to Do Science” is free a free program open to students in at least third grade and their adult guests. Parents are encouraged to attend, participate, and learn along with their children. It begins at 10 a.m. and will be held in Room 119 at the Stillwater Public Library. Registration is appreciated at 405-372-3633 or askalibrarian@stillwater.org.
For more information about “Born to Do Science” or to listen to original podcasts, visit www.BornToDoScience.com.
Library programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Library and KOSU.
The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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'Microbiologist shares secrets of sunshine' at Stillwater Public Library Feb. 18
Born to do Science: Disgesting Sunshine with Dr. Rob Burnap
See below for program overview.
(STILLWATER, OKLA. / Feb. 8, 2012) – Saturday, Feb. 18, Monty Harper’s "Born to Do Science" presents "Digesting Sunshine" with scientist Dr. Rob Burnap. "Born to Do Science" is a monthly program that gives students a chance to meet and interact with real, working scientists. The series is hosted by Harper, a local children’s musician. Harper composes a fun new song about science for each program. This month’s program and song address photosynthesis.
“Odds are that most kids have learned something about photosynthesis,” said Harper. “But what they may not know is that photosynthesis is amazingly efficient at ripping water molecules apart. If we can learn the secrets of photosynthesis, we might be able to use water and sunshine to manufacture hydrogen for fuel cells and hydrocarbons for biofuels. This could be the key to all our clean energy needs.”
Burnap, from OSU’s Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, will speak with kids about his research on methods for better understanding photosynthesis. The presentation will include hands-on activities for the participants.
"This time around there are a lot of exciting possibilities for hands-on experiments,” said Harper. “We're still working on it, but some of the things we may bring in are algae that we can view with a microscope, an electrolysis set-up, marble races, heavy water, and of course a 3-D computer model of a photosynthetic reaction center."
“Born to Do Science” is free a free program open to students in at least third grade and their adult guests. It begins at 10 a.m. and will be held in Room 119 at the Stillwater Public Library. Registration is requested at 405-372-3633 or askalibrarian@stillwater.org.
For more information about “Born to Do Science” or to listen to original podcasts, visit www.BornToDoScience.com.
Library programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Library and KOSU.
The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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'Popular Teens: Friendly or Mean? at Stillwater Public Library Dec. 17
Born to do Science with Monty Harper
See below for program overview.
(STILLWATER, OKLA. / Dec. 14, 2011) – Saturday, Dec. 17, Monty Harper’s "Born to Do Science" presents "Popular Teens: Friendly or Mean?" with Dr. Lara Mayeux, a developmental psychologist from the department of psychology at the University of Oklahoma. The program begins at 10 a.m. at the Stillwater Public Library and is open to students in third through seventh grade and their adult guests.
"Born to Do Science" is a monthly program that provides a rare opportunity for "tweenagers" and their parents to enjoy a program together,” said Harper, a local children’s musician and avid science fan. “We introduce children to working scientists and their break-through research.”
Participants at this month’s program will learn about Mayeux’s research on social status among teens and the factors that determine which kids become popular.
“Dr. Mayeux’s research explores many fascinating questions,” said Harper. “What are the benefits and risks to being popular? How does teens’ social status change over time? What role does aggression play in gaining and keeping popularity? Does all this work differently for boys than for girls?”
Participants will get a chance to take a survey similar to the kind used in Dr. Mayeux's actual research, and they will design their own research study on teenage popularity.
As always, Harper plans to kick off the program with a brand new song as a fun way to introduce the topic and encourage discussion. Saturday's song is aptly entitled, "I Wanna Be Popular!"
To register for the free program, contact the library at 405-372-3633 or askalibrarian@stillwater.org.
For more information about “Born to Do Science” or to listen to original podcasts, visit
www.BornToDoScience.com.
Library programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Library and KOSU.
The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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Fungus, brains, other science things at Stillwater Public Library:Born to do Science announces spring sessions
(STILLWATER, OKLA. / Dec. 13, 2011) –Mice, super colliders and viruses were just a few of the cool things students learned about at Born to Do Science this fall. This spring, the serious fun continues when Host Monty Harper brings working scientists to the Stillwater Public Library each month.
“Born to Do Science is learning at its best,” said Nikole Kelty, children’s librarian. “Monty brings real science into the library, but he helps explain it in a way that even the youngest kids understand. I was amazed last month when we actually got to see moving particles with the naked eye. We certainly didn’t have these sorts of programs when I was in school.”
Born to Do Science, which is held the third Saturday of the month at 10 a.m., introduces children to working scientists who share their research and provide fun experiments in their areas of expertise. Haper works closely with the scientists to develop a new song for each program.
“Each event features a guest scientist, scientific research you won't hear about anywhere else, hands-on activities, and a song,” said Harper. “We don't talk down to kids and we don't water down the science. It's a great way to connect your family with critical thinking, genuine wonder, and real-life everyday science!”
The 2012 spring schedule includes:
- January 21, 2012: “This Is Your Brain On Words!: How We Pull Meaning Out of Written Language.” Shelia Kennison, PhD, from the Department of Psychology at Oklahoma State University will speak about her research into how our left and right brain hemispheres work together to create meaning while we're reading.
- February 18, 2012: “Digesting Sunshine: How Mother Nature Converts Light Into Chemical Energy.” Dr. Robert L. Burnap from the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Oklahoma State University will speak about his study of the enzyme plants used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen and how a better understanding of photosynthesis may lead to more efficient production of biofuels.
- March 10, 2012: “My One and Only Vole: Pair Bonding in Monogamous Prairie Voles.” Tomica Blocker, master's student in Zoology at Oklahoma State University and recent recipient of an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship grant, will speak about her investigations into the mating habits of these amorous rodents and how they may be affected by human industrial activity.
- April 21, 2012: “Predators, Prey, and the Games They Play! Computer Models Reflect Real-World Animal Behavior.” Dr. Barney Luttbeg from the Oklahoma State University Department of Zoology will speak about his research using tadpoles, dragonfly larvae, and computer simulations to understand the complex interactions between predators and their prey.
- May 19, 2012: “The Fungus among Us! When Fungi Attack, Science Fights Back.” Stephen M. Marek PhD from the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Oklahoma State University will speak about his use of molecular tools to investigate "who done it" and how to stop it when important crops suffer damage from pathogenic fungi.
The classes are free and open to students in third through seventh grades. Registration is required. Parents are asked to make separate child care arrangements for family members in second grade or younger.
For more information or to register, visit the library's website at library.stillwater.org, contact the library Help Desk at (405) 372-3633 or email askalibrarian@stillwater.org. To keep up with Born to Do Science or to listen to original podcasts with kid hosts, visit www.BornToDoScience.com.
The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Library classes are sponsored by Friends of the Library and KOSU.
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Contact: Sherry Fletcher, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Phone: 405.742.8362
E-mail: sfletcher@stillwater.org
Web: stillwater.org