Weird Science: USU Science Week Jan. 22-26

Join USU’s College of Science for a week packed with exciting exhibits and activities. The student-led Science Council hosts Science Week Jan. 22-26, with a variety of events for campus and community to increase awareness of scientific study and undergraduate research opportunities at the university.

“Fight the winter inversion blues with hands-on fun, games and great entertainment,” says Brittany Webb, College of Science senator and a junior physics and chemistry major.

Mitosis Monday, Jan. 22

The week kicks off with “Science Information Day” Monday in the Sunburst Lounge of the Taggart Student Center. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. check out cool exhibits of undergraduate research and study in biology, chemistry and biochemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics and statistics and physics. Free Aggie Ice Cream is served in the exhibit area at 1 p.m.

Torque Tuesday, Jan. 23

The ever-popular Science Quiz Bowl returns Tuesday with student teams from each College of Science department vying for a coveted traveling trophy to prove their scientific prowess. (Can the reigning champion chemists defend their title against the mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists and biologists?) The competition is 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the TSC Sunburst Lounge.

“There’s antimony, arsenic, aluminum, selenium…” Join the fun of “Elemental Bingo” (and refresh your knowledge of the Periodic Table) from noon-1:30 p.m. in the TSC Sunburst Lounge. All students are welcome to participate and prizes will be awarded.

Weak Acid Wednesday, Jan. 24

Noted physicist and writer Alan Lightman visits campus Wednesday, Jan. 24, to present the talk, “The Physicist as Novelist.” Lightman’s presentation is from 3-4 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center. The gathering is free and open to all.

Lightman, who teaches both physics and creative writing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is the author of bestsellers Einstein’s Dreams, Good Benito, The Diagnosis and Reunion.

Wednesday evening, watch Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale and Scarlett Johansson work their magic in the 2006 thriller, “The Prestige.” The movie is presented in the TSC Stevenson Ballroom, with showings at 7 and 9 p.m. Admission is free.

Thermodynamics Thursday, Jan. 25

Not to be missed is a Thursday campus appearance by Brigham Young University biologist Duane Jeffery. Jeffery offers two talks at USU: “Humanoids” from 1-2 p.m., during which he presents his famous Humanoid skull collection, and “Evolution and Religion,” from 3-4 p.m. Both presentations are held in the TSC Stevenson Ballroom. Admission is free and open to all.

Back by popular demand! Rock out with your fellow Aggies at the “String Theory” Student Songwriting Competition Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday in the TSC Stevenson Ballroom. Enjoy performances by student musicians as they present their original compositions for a panel of judges. Admission is free and open to all.

“We had an awesome turnout last year and some terrific performances,” says Webb. “Songs are judged on lyrics, technique and audience response, so show up and cheer on your buddies.”

The winner of the competition receives a new Fender guitar from Logan’s KSM Guitars.

For information about contest rules and registration, visit the announcement, “Calling All Student Songwriters.”

Fusion Friday, Jan. 26

Science Week concludes Friday with acoustic guitar sensation Nadine Zahr. A review on the contemporary singer-songwriter’s Web site describes Zahr’s music as an “aural canvas with vibrant indie-pop tints, earthy roots-rock hues and bluesy gospel-soul textures.”

Zahr performs at 7 p.m. in the TSC Sunburst Lounge. Her performance is free and open to all. Opening act for Zahr’s concert is the student winner of the previous evening’s String Theory songwriting competition.

Utah State’s College of Science includes the academic departments of chemistry/biochemistry, biology, computer science, geology, mathematics and statistics and physics. More than 1,400 undergraduates and more than 270 graduate and doctoral students are enrolled in degree programs administered by the college.

Parking for Science Week activities is available at the university parking terraces at 850 E. 700 North and at 700 E. 600 North. The Taggart Student Center and Kent Concert Hall are within walking distance from both parking areas and the Logan Transit District Route 1 and 4 bus stops at the Veterinary Science building on 700 North.

For more information about Science Week activities, contact Webb at 435-797-7441 or brittanywebb@cc.usu.edu.

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