Come to Cranbrook Institute of Science for informative and interesting classes, workshops and activities for adults.

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This is an archive of a lecture by Dr. Dan Fisher that took place on Oct. 25, 2007 at Cranbrook Institute of Science. Dr. Fisher is a University of Michigan paleontologist and leading expert on the mastodon and woolly mammoth. This lecture is part of Cranbrook Schools’ Annual Sirchio Lecture Series.

Download video of the lecture.

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Oct. 11, 7pm

Since the mid-19th century, our planet has experienced an overall warming trend, with a particularly sharp rise over the last three decades.

There is strong consensus in the scientific community that the accumulation of greenhouse trace gases in the atmosphere, from the burning of fossil fuels, is the primary cause of the warming; yet polls show that only one in three Americans think the recent warming is “mainly caused by what people do.” Explore this issue at the Institute of Science in a conversation with two noted atmospheric scientists.

Dr. Natalia Andronova, details the evidence for humanity’s role in global warming and the best estimates of future warming. Dr. Andronova is a Research Scientist in the Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Modeling Group of the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences at the University of Michigan.

Dr Roy Spencer will discuss satellite data and focus on a possible natural thermostat controlling the climate system, involving precipitation systems and how they may affect future warming projections. Dr. Spencer is U.S. Science Team leader for the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer flying on NASA’s Aqua satellite and a principle Research Scientist at the University of Alabama (Huntsville).

As always, the third participant in the conversation is the audience through questions and comments following the speakers.

Download video of the conversation.

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The Institute of Science presented the first of a series of discussions involving issues at the intersection of Science and Society today. The first topic was organic evolution and intelligent design.

Which provides a scientific approach to understanding human origins?

Dr. C. Loring Brace, professor and curator of biological anthropology at the Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan, will present a synopsis of the evidence for organic evolution.

Dr. Michael Behe, a professor of biochemistry at Lehigh University and senior fellow of the Discovery Institute, will summarize the evidence for intelligent design.

The third participant in the conversation is the audience through questions and comments following the speakers.

Download audio of the conversation.

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Bobby Harrison, Associate Professor, Oakwood College

Since February 2004 Mr. Harrison has been engaged in the on going Ivory-billed Woodpecker research project in eastern Arkansas. The purpose of the project is to study, document and conserve habitat and needs of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, which Harrison and Tim Gallagher, Editor of Living Bird magazine, rediscovered on Feb. 27, 2004. Long thought to be extinct, Harrison will share with us the excitement of discovering that this magnificent creature may still be alive.

Download the complete lecture.

(Please note: Macromedia Flash is required to view this trailer. Click here to get the current Flash plugin.)

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Mike Kimball, Assistant Professor of Anthropology University of Maine-Machias, discusses 3,000-year-old rock art of coastal Maine.

“Skwaasutek,” a Native American word for “the place of watching and waiting” is home to coastal Maine’s 3,000-year-old rock art. These mysterious designs, or petroglyphs, are endangered by global warming. Kimball will discuss the unique collaboration among archeologists, artists and Waponaki tribal members to preserve these unique treasures.

Download the complete lecture.

(Please note: Macromedia Flash is required to view this trailer. Click here to get the current Flash plugin.)