Pinhead Institute: Punk Science Starts 6/27

23 Jun Pinhead Institute: Punk Science Starts 6/27

Summer is back, bringing with it the Pinhead Institute’s annual Punk Science lecture series designed to make science easily accessible to kids (and their grown-ups) through interactive demonstrations, good humor, and loads of fun. Punk Science takes place every Tuesday evening starting Tuesday, June 27 through August 2, 5:15 p.m.–6:00 p.m., at Telluride’s Wilkinson Public Library. In a new addition to programming, the Telluride-based STEM education non-profit and Smithsonian Affliliate is also expanding the series to the Ridgway Public Library on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. Admission is free and open to children of all ages and their parents or guardians. (Donations are appreciated). For more information, please visit www.pinheadinstitute.org.

Kate “Dr. B” Biberdorf, PhD, exploding with fun science.

“We’re so excited to bring our Punk Science programming over the Dallas Divide to kids in Ridgway and their families,” said Pinhead’s Executive Director Sarah Holbrooke. “The program is a perennial favorite because the kids learn so much and it’s a lot fun to teach. Plus, our scientists love bringing what they know to our small mountain towns and the enthusiastic participants they meet there,” she continued.

Pinhead’s Punk Science six-week series kicks off on Tuesday, June 27, at Telluride’s Wilkinson Public Library and Wednesday, June 28, at the Ridgway Public Library. First up is the University of Texas at Austin’s Kate “Dr. B” Biberdorf, PhD., who presents animated, exciting – ven explosive – “Fun with Chemistry” programs highlighting physical and chemical reactions.

“First there was Bill Nye, then there was Neil deGrasse Tyson,” said Holbrooke. “Without being overconfident, my bet is on Kate Bibersdorf as the next household name in fun, understandable science education…Come see this amazing scientist for yourself!”

Kate Biberdorf – playing with fire.

The one exception to the Tuesday series takes place the first week of July, when University of Colorado School of Medicine professor Dr. Mitchell Cohen shines a light on trauma medicine and research on Thursday, July 6, to avoid conflict with the July 4th holiday.

Punk Science topics range from the future of space exploration with former Space Shuttle Commander Brewster H. Shaw to the lowdown on why candy makes us crazy with Penn State University associate professor Scott Showalter and the physics of sound with University of California, Davis, postdoctoral fellow Korana Burke.

“Pinhead strives to expose our kids to all STEM areas from medicine to chemistry to astrophysics and beyond,” said Holbrooke.

As every year, two lucky children (one from Telluride and one from Ridgway) with perfect attendance at all six programs will be eligible to enter a grand prize raffle. This year’s winners will each win free registration in a Pinhead Institute after school program during the 2017/2018 academic year.

“Pinhead is thrilled to partner with Alpine Bank, whose generous support is enabling us to run programs both in Telluride and in Ridgway this summer,” Holbrooke said.

The Pinhead Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and Smithsonian Affiliate based in Telluride, Colorado that educates and inspires children and adults in the greater Telluride region about the wonders of science and technology through engaging programs, direct interaction with scientists, and unique research-centered internship experiences.

To learn more visit www.pinheadinstitute.org or call 970-369-5190.