This Saturday at The Science Circle

 

 

Saturday March 14

 

    ~*~

 

At 10 AM PST   

 

Updates in Chemistry

 

Moderated by Michael Shaw PHD

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/59/128/29

 

    ~*~

 

    NOTE: Non-members required to register once

    IM Jes Cobalt or Nymf Hathaway

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

The Science Circle Is Back (Saturday At 10 AM)

 

In December, the Newser reported that The Science Circle,  a group dedicated to weekly discussions about various scientific topics in Second Life, had closed. But it seems the shutdown didn't last long. There was an announcement the group came back in January, and apparently has continued to have Saturday discussions. Their website is still down, but descriptions of events are on a LinkedIn page. 

 

For this Saturday 10 AM SL time: 

 

Join us in Second Life this Saturday for a presentation on
CHEMISTRY IN THE 20TH CENTURY AS SEEN IN THE 23RD AND 24TH CENTURIES: “THESE ARE THE VOYAGES OF THE STARSHIP ENTERPRISE…”

by Natalie Foster, Ph.D.  

The auditorium (where the event may or may not be located) is located at: 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/23/139/23

 

SL Video (Science Circle): "Kurt Winkelmann - A Tour of Chemistry Lab Experiments in Second Life"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

 From The Science Circle on July 2019, Kurt Winkelmann giving a tour of a chemistry lab. 

SL Video (Science Circle) : "Michael J Shaw- Silicon Chemistry And Its Consequences For Silicon Based Life"

 

 (click here if the video does not play)

 

 From The Science Circle in October 2016, "Michael J Shaw PhD - Lecture about silicon chemistry and its consequences for silicon based life."

 

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 March 15

 

    ~*~

 

    At 10 AM PST   

    Pi-Bonding: a Chemist’s view of Pi Day

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/chemists-view-of-pi/

    By Michael Shaw

    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 November 23

    ~*~

 

    At 10 AM PST   

    Learning A New Skill: Computational Chemistry

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/learning-computational-chemistry/

    Moderator: Michael Shaw

    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 April 20

    ~*~

    

    At 10 AM PST   

    SC and Chemistry World at SLB

    Organized by Chantal Jager

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

    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 25

    ~*~

    

    At 10 AM PST   

    A Brief History of Genetic Modification in Agriculture

    By Stephen L. Gasior

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/genetic-modification/

 

    The Science Circle (72,129,30)

      

    ~*~

 

    At 9 PM PST   

    Do Not Try This At Home

    Dr. Michael J. Shaw

    https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/do-not-try-this-at-home/

    

    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 - "Webb Telescope," "Organic Chem Basics"

The James Webb Space Telescope: A Summary

Saturday January 22,

9:30 AM to 10 AM SL time

I briefly review the science mission of the JWST and discuss its potential discoveries. I do this in the context of the discoveries of Webb’s predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope.

– Dr. William. F. Wall / Syzygy Asymptote

Auditorium

For more information, Click Here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/72/129/30

*  *  *  *  *

Beragon’s Bistro: Webb Telescope

Saturday January 22,

10 AM to 11 AM SL time,

A discussion hosted by Matt Burr at the Light house Cafe

The Light House Café

For more information, Click Here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/225/230/28

*  *  *  *  *

Organic Chem Basics: Diels-Alder and Similar Reactions

Saturday January 22,

9 PM to 10 PM

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.

A presentation by Dr Michael J. Shaw

Auditorium

For more information, Click Here.

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

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 - "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 - "The Biochemistry of Our Senses"

 

 "The Biochemistry of Our Senses"

Saturday November 21

10 AM to 11 AM

All living things become aware of, and interact with their environment and each other through, their senses. While the mechanism of sensory perception may be complicated, it all comes down to chemistry and physics, with chemistry being mostly electricity and energy levels in atoms. No magic required.

Understanding the chemistry of biology reveals secrets about how life exists, how living things are all related, and provides important clues about how and why living things evolved from each other.

Join me in exploring the fascinating and dynamic world of the very small, the menagerie of molecules that create familiar tastes and smells, that help us to see and feel, that mess with or fool our natural systems, and that make up us and the rest of life and living things.

Dr. Phil Youngblood

 To read more, Click Here. 

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

 

SL Video: "The Drax Files: World Makers [Episode 48: CNDG]"

(Click here if the video fails to play)

From Draxtor Despress on March 3, "Question: what if we’d tell you that in 2018 thousands of American university students traveled to the Second Life grid to learn more about environmental science, chemistry, biology and economics?"

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) 

Announcement: This Week at the Science Circle

Thursday 28th 7 PM - 9 PM PDT

Exploratorium (143,116,23)

   → Come play with exhibits on the island

   → Live video feed: Exploratorium in San Francisco
       of RL event where we'll be showing SL exhibits

https://www.exploratorium.edu/

* * * * *

Saturday Sept 30th, 10 AM PDT

 “Ways of Knowing in Chemistry” by Michael Shaw Ph. D, USA                    

Abstract: How do we know what we say we know? In synthetic chemistry, there are tools we use which give us data from which we can deduce details of a molecule’s structure.  Many of these tools are spectroscopic in nature and some rely on changes in how a molecule rotates, vibrates,  how its electrons are distributed, or even how individual types of nuclei spin.   There are also methods based on diffraction that can yield a “snapshot” of a molecule’s structure.  This talk will be from a synthetic perspective, i.e. how do we make sure that what we tried to make is what we actually made, and what sort of purity did we achieve?

More information about Dr. Shaw's presentation at https://sciencecircle.org/upcoming-saturday/

The Science Circle (61/126/32)

SL Video: "The Drax Files: World Makers - Episode 19 Virtual Chemistry"

(Click Here if the video fails to load)

By Draxtor Despress, ""The students using the replicated lab in Second Life had better retention of information than the students only using the physical lab!" Wendy Keeney-Kennicutt from Texas A&M University is excited about the preliminary findings of her study about how the unique affordances of virtual reality platforms like Second Life can facilitate and enhance the learning process.

Conducted together with Kurt Winkelman from the Florida Institute of Technology, the study comparing physical lab and virtual lab is funded by an NSF grant and slated to be finished in April 2015.

While the findings [so far] maybe indeed eye-opening for many who have not engaged with virtual reality in an educational context, for pioneering teachers and enthusiastic students alike they can hardly be seen as a surprise: learning in virtual worlds creates a strong sense of being together and collaborating in one shared space irrespective of physical location powerfully transcends - via avatar-based interaction - a multitude of social issues.

More information by hopping in-world at http://slurl.com/secondlife/12th%20Ma... or on the web at http://its.tamu.edu/Services/Systems/Second_Life.php"