Science Under an Hour at the Science Cafe
Have you ever wanted to know the mysteries of the universe, science at the tip of your fingers? Within less than an hour that information will be yours at the Science Cafe. One may think that the Science Cafe may just be for those in the science field, well, let me tell you that it’s not. It’s science taught in a very easy to understand way, even funny at times. After going for the first time I was hooked, and maybe you will be too.
The presentation on October 1st, led by Dr. Rudi Banerjee, like every other, helps us to understand the cosmos. What’s one thing that we wonder most about the world? One may ask “how did it begin? Where does the earth come from?” Or even “what’s everything made from?” Well statistically speaking, most people are most curious about how the world will end. So, that was what Dr. Banerjee’s presentation was about. Despite the grim topic, it really wasn’t a sad conversation. Not with some of the hilarious commentary and admirably, well placed poetry, or adorably pathetic gifs. It’s educational with a side of fun! You get put in a dark auditorium and there is nothing but talking about the world beyond with the professor.
Scientists recognize four ways that everything as we know will end. The Big Crunch, Heat Death, Big Rip, or Vacuum Decay. However, we don’t need to worry about these possibilities as even the one that will come the soonest is billions of years away. Knowing this is a comfort, the fact that humankind will never experience this. But, why are knowing these important? Well, knowing the ways that everything may end is interesting and can tell us a lot about the way things are formed in this world. Possibly the greatest thing to take away though, as Dr. Banerjee highlighted that 100 years ago we didn’t understand as much. So in 100 years we’ve gained so much understanding of the world and will continue to with each advancement or “with every answer you uncover, a new question and big mystery.”
The world out there, in these talks, gets put in perspective. Every little thing makes up bigger and bigger things. Earth, which is part of a Solar System, which is then part of the Milky Way Galaxy, so on and so on. Seeing how everything is put together, by cosmological constants, the Higgs boson, or other means is fascinating and new, to me. Rest be assured that the knowledge shared at the Cafe isn’t something to wrack your brain over though. No math, no formulas. No headache. Most of the information was said with simple to understand graphs or gifs once it was explained to you. If notes were to be taken though, it’d only take around one page in the whole time of around 45 minutes. Manageable right?
Though, like most things, reading something does not encompass the full experience. It doesn’t even begin to get close to it. My experiences are different from yours. So, for those curious and wanting to experience it themselves, join us at the next Science Cafe. Get plunged into the darkness at Mickle’s auditorium, room 114, and experience some of this comforting and enlightening knowledge. Laugh with those interested in science, have a good time, and remember to stay curious. Always keep learning about new things.