'Science On Saturday' lectures comes to Tracy

LIVERMORE, California — Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's popular "Science on Saturday" lecture series is going to Tracy, reprising two presentations that were featured earlier this year in Livermore that highlight women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The free one-hour presentations will be held on April 23 and 30 at 10 a.m. at The Grand Theatre, 715 N. Central Ave. in Tracy. No pre-registration is required. Admittance is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each informative and entertaining lecture highlights cutting-edge science presented by leading Lab researchers who are joined by master high school science teachers.

The two-part series kicks off Saturday, April 23, with LLNL scientist Tammy Ma and teacher Tom Shefler of Granada High School (Livermore) presenting "Harnessing Fusion: Creating a Sun on Earth." The talk will focus on the engineering aspect of STEM and will describe how scientists and engineers at Lawrence Livermore’s National Ignition Facility, the world’s largest and most energetic laser, are working to demonstrate sustainable fusion burn, the same reaction that occurs in the sun.

On Saturday, April 30, LLNL scientists Elizabeth Wheeler, Monica Moya, Kris Kulp, Heather Enright and Sarah Felix will be joined by teacher Erin McKay of Tracy High School to present "iCHIP: Human Physiology in the Palm of Your Hand." This presentation will focus on the technology aspect of STEM and will describe how researchers at LLNL are using biology, 3D bio-printing, microchips and other technology to re-create human physiology outside the body.

The lectures and demonstrations are sponsored by LLNL's Science Education Program targets middle and high school students. For more information, see Science on Saturday or contact albala1 [at] llnl.gov (Joanna Albala), (925) 422-6803.