This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

Saturday November 22

 

    ~*~

 

    At 10 AM PST   

Silicon Chemistry

https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/hard-core-demonstrations/

 

Mike Shaw, PHD

 

Auditorium 

 

    ~*~

 

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝  

This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

 

Saturday May 17

 

    ~*~

 

    At 10 AM PST   

    2020 in the Science Circle – Revisited 2

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/revisited/

    A panel discussion following up on past topics from 5 years ago.

    Phil Youngblood — The Biochemistry of Our Senses
    Mike Shaw — Data into insight: Teasing out how molecules behave
    Steve van Hook —The World 20 Years Ahead with 2020 Vision

    Moderated by Stephen Gasior/Xootfly

 

    Location: Auditorium

 

    ~*~

 

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝

 

This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

 

Saturday December 28

 

    ~*~

 

    At 10 AM PST   

    SC Field Trip: Chemistry World

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/field-trip-chemworld/

    By Mike Shaw

    Chemistry World (183/48/26)

      

    ~*~

 

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝

This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

Saturday March 2

    ~*~

    

    At 10 AM PST   

    Do Not Try This At Home

    Presenter: Dr. Mike Shaw

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/do-not/

 

    The Science Circle (72,129,30)

      

    ~*~

 

    

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝

 

 

This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

Saturday, December 24

    ~*~

    

    At 10 AM PST   

    A Tour of Chemistry World

    By Dr. Mike Shaw

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/a-tour-of-chemistry-world/

 

   The Science Circle (46/4/22)

      

    ~*~

 

    At 9 PM PST   

    Science Circle in Opensim

    By Stephen Gasior PHD

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/science-circle-in-open-sim/

 

   The Science Circle (72,129,30)

 

    ~*~

    

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝

 

 

This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

 Saturday, November 12

    ~*~

    

    At 10 AM PST   

    Autumn Leaf Colors

    Presentation by Dr. Phil Youngblood

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/autumn/

 

   The Science Circle (72,129,30)

      

    ~*~

 

    At 9 PM PST   

    Basics of Dynamic Equilibrium

    Dr. Michael J. Shaw

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/basics-of-dynamic-equilibrium/

 

 The Science Circle (72,129,30)

 

    ~*~

    

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝

 

This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

Saturday, November 5

    ~*~

    

    At 10 AM PST   

    Basics of Dynamic Equilibrium

    Presentation by Dr. Mike J. Shaw

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/dynamic-equilibrium/

 

   The Science Circle (72,129,30)

      

    ~*~

 

    At 9 PM PST   

    Addressing Overpopulation

    Jes Stannard

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/addressing-overpopulation/

 

 The Science Circle (72,129,30)

 

    ~*~

    

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝

 

This Saturday at The Science Circle

Saturday, May 21

    ~*~
    
    At 10 AM PST   

    The Chemistry and Geology of Gold
    Dr. Mike Shaw and Dr. Bill Schmachtenberg
    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/gold/

    ~*~
    
    At 9 PM PST
    
    Bees And Other Endangered Animals
    Discussion led by Jes Stannard
    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/bees/
      
    ~*~
    
    NOTE: Non-members required to register once
    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

╚══════════════════════════════ The Science Circle (72,129,30) ═╝
 

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Organic Chem Basics" and "Is Nationalism Beneficial"

Organic Chem Basics: Diels-Alder and Similar Reactions

Saturday November 27,

10 AM to 11 AM SL time

The 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Dr. Benjamin List (Max PLack Institute)  and Dr. David MacMillam (Princeton University) for “the development of asymmetric organocatalysis.” One of the first reactions that they found could be catalyzed by purely organic compounds was the Diels-Alder reaction. The Diels-Alder reaction is a well-known example of a fundamental class of reactions in organic chemistry, and it can proceed unaided, be catalyzed by metal-containing compounds, or most recently catalyzed by purely organic species. We’ll talk about what makes the Diels-Alder reaction special, and how it has been catalyzed in the past, and why the recent Nobel prize is seen as a jump forward.

Dr. Mike Shaw

Auditorium

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/125/132/22

*  *  *  *  *
 

"Is Nationalism Beneficial or Dangerous in the Context of Gobalization?"

Saturday November 27,

9 PM to 10 PM SL time

“While globalization will make the world smaller and more accessible, we must continue to appreciate its vibrant diversity.” -Jean-Philippe Courtois

Fireside

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/104/125/1114
 

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "A Few of My Favorite Hemes"

 

"A Few of My Favorite Hemes"

Saturday March 13

10 to 11 AM SL time

The “heme cofactor” is familiar to us as the part of hemoglobin where oxygen attaches for transport through blood. It lends blood its characteristic color. However, the heme unit is a versatile part of many biological functions. It participates in the metabolism of perceived toxins by the liver, in the production and sensing of the neurotransmitter NO, and as support for other enzyme systems by managing  electron availability. In this talk, we will explore some of the basic structural features of heme and their consequences in biological systems.

Dr. Mike Shaw

For more on the event, Click Here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Recent Developments at Chemistry World"

 

"Recent Developments at Chemistry World"

Saturday December 12, 

10 AM to 11 AM SL time

Chemistry World was established as a joint venture between Texas A&M University and the Florida Institute of Technology by Dr. K (Dr. Wendy Keeney-Kennicutt) and Winkelmann Teichmann (Dr. Kurt Winkelman) as part of NSF-funded research to examine the effectiveness of virtual worlds in the teaching of chemistry content. They worked with Xandi Mars and Random Cole, SL designers who are based in Texas and who work extensively with Texas A&M.  The results of the study were published in the Journal of Chemical Education. The result is an asset to the chemistry education community in Second Life which supports a realistic teaching environment which includes a laboratory, a classroom, offices to meet with TAs/faculty, and space to “hang out”. In addition there is an area for practicing camera skills, and a series of platforms which host two laboratory experiments which include an ideal gas law activity and a precipitation titration activity.

Amidst the SARS-COVID-2 pandemic in late Spring 2020, Dr. Shaw assumed management of the region.  The idea was to use its facilities to supplement the lab activities for a freshman chemistry for engineers course in Fall 2020. In spring 2021, it will be used to supplement an advanced Bioinorganic chemistry class. This tour will highlight the facilities built as part of the original study, will show the current builds of 3D bioinorganic models, and will show the current state of the Solid-State Models activity developed since April 2020. The logistics of implementing these SL activities will be described.

 Organizers: Dr. Mike Shaw and Dustin Pumford

 For more information, Click Here.

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Data Into Insight"

"Data Into Insight - Teasing How Molecules Behave"

Saturday, March 7
10 AM SLT

By Dr. Mike Shaw

My current research involves the exploration of electron-transfer events on models of biologically-relevant molecules such as the heme-nitric-oxide complex. My students learn how to work with air- and moisture-sensitive materials so as to prepare target compounds, and then we have to gather data on these materials so as to be able to prove they are what we set out to make. Once we have the materials in hand, we can start doing experiments which probe the chemical consequences of electron transfer on these compounds.

With examples from my research program, I’ll show you how data we collect tells us about the quality of the materials, and how the data reveals the consequences of electron-transfer events involving these materials. I’ll talk specifically about what we can learn from infrared spectroscopy, magnetic resonance, and an electrochemical technique called voltammetry.

To read more, Click Here.

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Marking Time" and "Modern Extinctions"

"Marking Time: Consciousness, Cosmos, and Calendars"

Saturday January 25
6 AM to 7AM SL time

A public presentation and consultation of members for a joint educational journey.

Facilitated by Phil Youngblood / SL: Vic Michalak

Abstract
Time is an inescapable reality in our personal and social lives.
We mark it, celebrate it, take it, stretch it, slow it, waste it, and curse it.
Our mind and bodies count on its regularity, but the reality is it is not regular.
We are almost constantly aware of it, but conceive of it differently if awake or asleep.
Happy New Year? Leap Year? New Decade? Yes or No?

Religious calendars, secular calendars, fixed and movable holidays.
The perfection of the cosmos and imperfection of the sun, moon, planet, and stars.
Let us take time together to explore the physical reality and the abstract concept of time.

For more information, Click Here

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32

*  *  *  *  *

"Modern Extinctions"

Saturday January 25
10 AM to 11:30 AM

Extinction is the death of all members of a species of plants, animals, or other organisms. Smithsonian
Latest: The Chinese Paddlefish

Panel participants:

1. Alex Hastings
2. Mike Shaw
3. Phil Youngblood

Host scientific debates: Matthew Burr

For more information, Click Here

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Audience Questions"

"Audience Questions"
Saturday December 28
10 AM to 11 AM

Your questions to our scientists!


Panel participants:

1. William Wall, Astronomy
2. Robert Hendrix, Medical Science
3. Mike Shaw, Chemistry
4. And perhaps Sarah Doxiadis

Host scientific debates: Matthew Burr

For more information, Click Here.

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32

Announcement: This Saturday in The Science Circle - "Science books for a Popular Audience"

"Panel: Science books for a Popular Audience" by Matthew Burr

Saturday October 26
10AM to 11:30 AMSL time

with
Mike Shaw : "Hallucinations" by Oliver Sacks
Stephen Gasior : "Your Inner FISH" by Neil Shubin
Phil Youngblood : "Lab Girl" by Hope Jahren
Keith Eric Grant : To be determined later

Read the announcement in full here (link).

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32  

Announcement: This Week At The Science Circle : "Science Fiction in Movies"

"Science Fiction in Movies"

Saturday, December 8
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM SL time  

The sequel to “Science Fiction in Movies”
A slide presentation by Tagline and a second panel discussion led by Beragon

Panel participants:

1. Tagline
2. Mike Shaw
3. Syzygy Asymptote

 https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/61/127/32

Announcement: This Week At The Science Circle : "Recent Developments in Solar Cells" and "Art History Tour"

"Art History Tour"

Saturday, November 10,
7:00 to 8:00 AM SL time.

by Hajime Nishimura

Title: Liberalism vs. Conservatism in Art? – Art History part.3

I presented twice about Art History before.

Part 1

Part 2

I and comet Morigi installated The Modern Museum as a collaboration platform for finding cross-disciplinary relation in modern history. And motoko Moonwall expanded my idea, introduced 2nd axis, “Left eye’s Art” vs. “Right eye’s Art” in her Art history museum but she died by lung cancer in 2015 before completion.

She introduced “Mannerism/ Baroque” vs “Classicism/ Renaissance”, combined two Art historians, Heinrich Wolflin and Gustav Hocke, but both studies are based mainly on Eastern Art and not enough for finding relations between Eastern world and Western world.

So I proposed new hypothesis, memory of “Hunting (migratory) life in glacial period” vs. “Agricultural (Sedentary) life in Holocene”.

It is interesting that several researchers in evolutionary psychology, cognitive neuroscience, etc. have similar idea for “Liberalism” vs “Conservatism” in politics.

Location guided tour Motoko Museum of Art History

Tour in voice, in English and Japanese.

Presentation Nov 3rd

Presentation is in voice chat in English and Japanese.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/157/78/22

* * * * *

"Recent Developments in Solar Cells- Perovskites"

Saturday, November 10,
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

By Mike J. Shaw

Harvesting energy from sunlight continues to be an active area of research which has the potential to benefit society at large. The best silicon-based solar cells have efficiencies around 25% after decades of research. Recently, solar cells based on materials which adopt a structure analogous to the mineral perovskite have shown the potential for high-efficiency conversion of light to electricity. This talk will illustrate the basics of how a solar cell works, why the perovskite structure seems to work for this application, and the various pros and cons of the particular varieties of perovskite used in such cells.

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/61/127/32

Announcement: This Week At The Science Circle: Catalysis in Wonderland 2"

"Catalysis in Wonderland 2: An SL presentation of classic transition-metal chemistry"
By Dr. Mike J. Shaw

Saturday June 17
10 AM SL time

"Organic chemistry follows certain rules. Starting in the 1950’s, we began to find ways that transition metals (e.g. chromium, iron, nickel, rhodium, gold and many others) could bend the rules of classic organic chemistry and facilitate chemical transformations which would otherwise be onerous. One example of the utility of transition metals as applied to organic chemistry is in catalysis, i.e. the transformation of starting materials into products through an easy-to-traverse sequence of steps. Today, catalysts mediate a wide range of reactions, from improving the quality of air (e.g. catalytic converters) to the production of plastics, medicines and other chemical transformations. This talk is a continuation of our discussion of catalysis where we will review the basics of “organometallic” catalysis reactions such as “oxidative addition”, “insertion”, and reductive elimination. These steps allow a metal complex to catalyze a reaction without itself being changed. These principles will be illustrated through lecture and scripted objects. The talk will discuss in detail the issues of “handedness” and how a catalyst can imprint its “handedness” on the final product."

For more information: Click Here.  

The Science Circle (61/127/32) 

Announcement: This Week At The Science Circle: "Catalysis in Wonderland"

"Catalysis in Wonderland: An SL presentation of classic transition-metal chemistry"
By Dr. Mike Shaw
Saturday April 28, 10AM - 11AM PDT

"Organic chemistry tends to follow certain rules. Starting in the 1950’s, we began to find ways that transition metals (e.g. chromium, iron, nickel, rhodium, gold and many others) could bend the rules of classic organic chemistry and facilitate chemical transformations which would otherwise be onerous. One example of the utility of transition metals as applied to organic chemistry is in catalysis, i.e. the transformation of starting materials into products through an easy-to-traverse sequence of steps. Today, catalysts mediate a wide range of reactions, from improving the quality of air (e.g. catalytic converters) to the production of plastics, medicines and other chemical transformations. In this talk we will cover the basics of “organometallic” catalysis reactions such as “oxidative addition”, “insertion”, and reductive elimination. We will use these steps to illustrate how a metal can catalyze a reaction without itself being changed, through lecture and scripted objects. What we have learned about catalysts which dissolve has helped us to understand how metal surfaces mediate similar transformations."

For more information: Click Here.  

The Science Circle (61/127/32) 

Announcement: This Week at the Science Circle

Saturday December 2
10AM SL time

"Welcome to Mike’s Chem Lab!" by Mike Shaw

Special thanks to Chantal and Jes for setting up this corner of the SC sim with buildings, comfy places to sit and other attractive features. Feel free to hang out with the cats.

The area features objects built for talks I’ve given during the past couple of years during the Science Circle’s (SC) regular lecture series.  More information about the SC is available on the website, including links to the YouTube recordings of recent talks (https://sciencecircle.org/).  I have also posted content from my talks at http://dpa-llc.com/chemjs , including links to the source material, and software used to create the objects. I am grateful to dpa-llc for hosting this content, to which other educators are welcome to link to.

The exhibits in this area highlight how atomic and molecular orbitals influence observed chemistry, and provide examples of how experimentally-determined structures can be easily translated into accurate models in virtual worlds.  Most of the exhibits are labelled and will give you a notecard with more details when you click on them.

More information at https://sciencecircle.org/nextpresentation/


The Science Circle (61/126/32)