'Science On Screen' series returns to Modesto

LIVERMORE, California -- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is once again partnering with The State Theatre in Modesto to bring "Science on Screen" to the theatre one Saturday a month from February through April.

The Science on Screen series is a free educational program geared to middle, high school and college students that creatively pairs cutting-edge science presented by leading Lab researchers with a feature film on a similar subject matter, providing the perfect combination of enlightenment and entertainment.

The series will be held at The State Theatre, 1307 J. St. in Modesto, and will kick off Saturday, Feb. 13, with LLNL seismologist/geophysicist Arthur Rodgers discussing "Computer Simulations: Earthquakes in the S.F. Bay Area." Rodgers utilizes LLNL’s world-class computing resources in his research including numerical modeling of seismic ground motions in the earth and acoustic waves in the atmosphere. Rodgers’ lecture is appropriately paired with the popular movie "San Andreas."

Doors will open at 2 p.m. with the lecture portion beginning at 2:30 p.m. The feature-length film will follow the introductory lecture at 3:30 p.m. Seating is on a first-come basis. There is no pre-registration.

Here is the complete schedule:

• Feb. 13: "Computer Simulations: Earthquakes in the S.F. Bay Area" by Arthur Rodgers, seismologist/geophysicst at LLNL. Rodgers’ lecture is paired with "San Andreas," rated PG-13.
• March 12: "Harnessing Fusion: Creating a Sun on Earth" by Tammy Ma, astrophysicist at LLNL. Ma’s lecture is paired with "Star Trek Into Darkness," rated PG-13.
• April 9: "iChip: Human Physiology in the Palm of Your Hand" by Elizabeth Wheeler and Monica Moya, bioengineers at LLNL. Wheeler and Moya’s lecture is paired with "The Fantastic Voyage," rated PG.

The Science on Screen program is funded by a grant through the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Coolidge Corner Theatre. The privately funded, non-profit State Theatre is partnering with LLNL’s Science Education Program for the second year, to provide the science based content highlighting LLNL’s cutting edge research. This partnership hopes to inspire and engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related education.

For more information about Science on Screen at The State Theater, visit the theater's website or contact albala1 [at] llnl.gov (Joanna Albala), (925) 422-6803.