Pinhead's annual fundraiser Wednesday, June 22, at The Peaks

19 Jun Pinhead's annual fundraiser Wednesday, June 22, at The Peaks

[click “Play” to hear Susan’s conversation with Sonchia and Amy]

The Science of Cocktails an elixir of science and fun

Wednesday, June 22, 7:30 (VIP), 8:30 – 11:30 p.m., the Pinhead Institute hosts is only major public fundraiser: “The Science of Cocktails.” The event takes place in the Crystal Room (and Deck) at The Peaks Resort & Spa in Mountain Village. The evening includes drink, gourmet desserts, and dancing to DJ Will of SoulAtomic.

Think of “The Science of Cocktails” as a remix of the witches’ scene in “MacBeth.”

Pinhead’s evening bills itself as “an in-depth look, interactive look at the physics, chemistry and biology of cocktails and spirits.” Mixers include six restaurants and one Ridgway distillery – Cosmopolitan, Honga’s, M’s Restaurant at Hotel Madeline Telluride, La Marmotte, The Steaming Bean, Siam, and Trail Town Still – competing to concoct the  “Perfect Pinhead Potion.”

Double, double, toil and trouble…

It is no big secret that our country is falling way behind in science education and that we need more scientists to innovate starting yesterday. Funds raised throughout the evening support Pinhead’s science-based programming.

 Throughout the school year, the Pinhead Institute brings internationally renowned scientists into our regional schools  for the “Scholars in the Schools” program. Acclaimed scientists lead labs, experiments, workshops, and field expeditions for students in grade school through high school. The program enables students from rural communities throughout the region to interact with PhD scientists from around the world, specializing in subjects ranging from nanoscience, to biochemistry, field biology, climatology, and much more.

In collaboration with teachers, the class-room demonstrations and hands-on activities enhance the science curriculum, increase science awareness among students, stimulate scientific thinking, and put a human face on the scientific community.

Every Tuesday throughout the summer, visiting PhD scientists participate in the ever popular Punk Science program, which targets kids ages 8 – 12 for interactive talks and demonstrations.

Pinhead’s annual Summer Science Camps, a joint venture with the Ah Haa School for the Arts and the Telluride Academy gives young people an opportunity to explore and discover the wonderful wold of science outside a traditional school setting.

Following an intensive application process, Pinhead’s internship program sends high school juniors and seniors annually into the real world of science to conduct research at the Smithsonian Institution, the California Academy of Sciences, MIT, NASA, and many other venerable venues.

A Stargazing Series featuring renowned astronomers from Lowell Observatory. The program begins in July and is free to the general public.

Pinhead now serves over 1,700 students from five different schools (Nucla/Naturita, Norwood, Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray), providing over 14,000 quality student hours of learning.

The VIP event features keynote speaker Dr. Peter Hackett and heavy appetizers, and general admission is dessert and drinks. For tickets and further details, go to www.pinheadinstitute.org

To learn more about Pinhead and why attending “The Science of Cocktails” could make a difference in the world, press the “play” button and listen to Pinhead’s executive director Sonchia Jilek and program director Amy Laubenstein’s interview.