The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is set to captivate young minds once again with its renowned lecture series, “Science on Saturday.” This year’s series, themed “Computing the Future!”, will take place from February 7 through February 28 at Las Positas College in Livermore, California. The lectures aim to showcase groundbreaking research that leverages the power of computing, ranging from molecular biology to space exploration.
Each session will be led by LLNL’s top scientists in collaboration with high school science teachers, specifically targeting middle and high school students. The lectures, which start at 10 a.m. and last for an hour, promise to be both educational and inspiring. The full schedule is available on the Science on Saturday web page.
Unveiling the Mysteries of the Cosmos
The series kicks off on February 7 with “Cosmic Treasure Hunt: Finding Stardust in Meteorites,” presented by LLNL Lawrence Fellow Emilie Dunham and Granada High School teacher Tom Shefler. This lecture will delve into the fascinating process by which dying stars create many of the elements found on Earth. Attendees will learn how ancient “stardust,” preserved in meteorites, provides vital clues about the stars that contributed to the formation of our solar system and even the atoms in our bodies.
Combating Viruses with Cutting-Edge Technology
On February 14, LLNL scientist Dan Faissol and Tracy High School teacher Erin McKay will present “High Tech Virus Fighters: AI, Supercomputers, and Biology on the Front Lines.” This session will explore how artificial intelligence and molecular simulations on powerful computers are being utilized to design more effective antibody-based medicines. These advancements are crucial in helping researchers stay ahead of rapidly evolving viruses and other pathogens.
Enhancing Urban Safety with Advanced Computing
The February 21 lecture, “Can Video Game Chips Make Cities Safer? How GPUs Help Scientists Combat Airborne Threats in Urban Areas,” will be presented by LLNL researchers Adam Wise, Ruiqing Du, and Jeff Mirocha, alongside Capuchino High School teacher Thi Ngo. This talk will highlight how graphics processing units (GPUs), initially developed for video games, are now used to conduct atmospheric simulations at incredible speeds. These simulations support the development of new strategies to protect urban populations from hazardous airborne threats and extreme heat.
The Quantum Leap in Computing
Concluding the series on February 28, LLNL scientists Sean O’Kelley and Kristi Beck, together with retired San Ramon Valley Unified School District teacher Stan Hitomi, will present “Quantum Computing: A Cool Way to Compute the Impossible.” This lecture will introduce the basics of classical bits and quantum bits (qubits), explaining the necessity of cooling superconducting qubits to temperatures colder than outer space. The potential of quantum computers to solve problems beyond the reach of today’s supercomputers will also be discussed.
Sponsored by LLNL’s Science Education Program, “Science on Saturday” offers a unique opportunity for students to engage with cutting-edge scientific research. Following each lecture, attendees can participate in tours of Las Positas College. Both the lectures and tours are free, but pre-registration is required.
This initiative not only aims to educate but also to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. The series underscores the critical role of computing in the advancement of various scientific fields, reflecting LLNL’s commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of science and technology among young learners.
For more information and to register, interested participants can visit the Science on Saturday web page.
