October 29, 2007
For Immediate Release
For an interview:
Fern Caka
(801) 863-8581
On Saturday, November 10 at 2 p.m., UVSC faculty will engage the community in discussion of a variety of scientific subjects at Barnes and Noble in Orem for the first annual Science Café in Utah.
This event was made possible by Fern Caka, associate professor of chemistry at UVSC, who received an American Chemical Society grant. “With the grant I thought it would be a great idea to educate and support science awareness among community members,” said Caka.
A Science Café is where a group of people can meet in a casual environment with a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. Having a scientific background isn’t a prerequisite, anyone is welcome to attend. This movement has spread throughout Europe and the United States.
Jim Harris, professor of biology at UVSC, will discuss his recent Northwest Territory adventure with a blend of science and history. He will discuss the discovery of the plant species Braya Pilosa that originated in 1828 and the circumstances that led to its loss to science for more than 150 years. Harris rediscovered the plant in 2004 in a remote area of the Northwest Territories. He will discuss possible reasons for its disappearance and the circumstances surrounding its rediscovery. Additionally, he will discuss the scientific importance of the race to find the Northwest Passage in the 19th century, with special emphasis on the efforts to find the lost Franklin Expedition in the 1840’s and 1850’s.
“Harris is a great candidate to speak at our first Science Café,” said Caka. “He is an excellent scholar and wonderful teacher with great stories to tell.”
For more information about the Science Café go to www.sciencecafes.org.
The event is free and open to the public. People may purchase beverages or food from the Barnes and Noble café.
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College Marketing Contact:
Megan Laurie
(801) 863-7149
Written by:
Lisa Rose
(801) 863-8504