If you live in Philadelphia, then you’re familiar with the stretch of highway called I-95.

Sure, it provides a (sometimes) fast way to get around the Philly region and a makes getting to the airport relatively painless, but, to some, it also makes an entire area of Philadelphia inaccessible.

See, I-95 essentially cuts the entire Delaware River water front area off from Center City between Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges. While there have been many (and I do mean many) plans to redo the water front and make it a more inviting area to visit, the sad fact is that because of I-95, only so much can be done.

But what if that could be changed?

That is the idea behind Reimagining Urban Highways, a forum discussion being presented by the Center for Environmental Policy at the Academy of Natural Sciences, in collaboration with local non-profit Next American City. The idea is to take a fresh look at the aging highways that take up so much real estate in cities across the country and figure out the best way to deal with them, including I-95 and the effect is has had on Philadelphia. It will include a panel of some of the best minds currently working on projects just like this and will also be streamed across the web the same night.

The forum will be held from 6:30 to 8 PM on Thursday, February 23 at the Academy of Natural Sciences and is a free event and open to the public. This is the place to go if you want a sneak peek at what an I-95-less Philadelphia might look like in the next decade.

Reimagining Urban Highways
Thursday, February 23rd, 2011

Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 299-1009
www.ansp.org

George can look for nice CRM solution for his job on this page.

You have the second Monday of every month blocked out for the Science on Tap event at National Mechanics, right?

Of course you do, for two very special reasons: science and beer.

February 13th’s topic is Violence in the Laboratory: How Science Changed War and War Changed Science, presented by Dr. Susan Lindee, Penn’s Associate Dean for the Social Sciences and Professor in the Department of History and Sociology of Science.

The talk will cover the effects science and war have had on each other, from scientific research funded by the military to battle tactics shaped by sophisticated tech. After her presentation, there will be a no-doubt lively discussion about how science and war have changed in the 20th century and when exactly we can expect our own Iron Man and/or War Machine.

Science on Tap is a monthly series of informal presentations by scientists and other experts. They’re held at National Mechanics on the second Monday of every month and are always a good time.

Science on Tap @ National Mechanics
Monday, February 13th at 6 pm

National Mechanics
22 South 3rd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 701-4883
www.nationalmechanics.com

Our favorite omnipotent being is coming to our beloved Brave New Worlds comic book shop in Old City. John de Lancie, an actual Philadelphia native, is best known for portraying Q, the all-knowing and all-powerful being from the Star Trek universe. He’ll be at the store signing autographs (for $25) on Saturday the 21st.

I might be there to geek out and harass him with questions such as, “Have you seen the hysterical stuff that George Takei posts on Facebook?”, “Wasn’t there a TNG episode where Riker manages to seduce a female Q or am I just making that up?”,”Wasn’t Janeway the absolute worst captain in Starfleet history?”

Head over to Brave New Worlds, and stock up on comics while you’re at it. Meanwhile, ask de Lancie about his guest appearances on Law & Order: LA or Torchwood: Miracle Day and voice work for Cartoon Network’s Young Justice. Actually, ask him how he felt about being a villain on “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.” I really want to know about that.

Q is Coming
Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Brave New Worlds
45 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.bravenewworldscomics.com

Want to have a beer and learn about prescription drugs? Of course you do.

The next installment of Science on Tap is sure to interest all you chem-nerds out there. Presented by the Chemical Heritage Foundation, next week’s discussion will get into the sharp rise in prescription drug abuse, the effects these drugs have on our bodies, and how forensic scientists identify drugs left at crime scenes.

The event features Antoinette Thwaites, a forensic chemist with the Philadelphia Police Department, as well as president of the Association of Women in Forensic Science. Antoinette will provide the brief presentation, which will be followed by a lively discussion.

Science on Tap is a monthly series of informal presentations by scientists and other experts. They’re held at National Mechanics on the second Monday of every month and are always a good time.

Science on Tap @ National Mechanics
Monday, January 9th at 6 pm

National Mechanics
22 South 3rd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 701-4883
www.nationalmechanics.com

Some local women are smashing stereotypes one emphatic syllable and pom pom shake at a time. The Science Cheerleaders, professional NFL and NBA cheerleaders-turned-scientists, seek to promote literacy and public interest in science, as well as a sexism-banishing view of today’s cheerleaders.

The group has close roots: Darlene Cavalier, a former 76ers cheerleader and science advocate with a Master’s degree from UPenn, founded her Science Cheerleader blog in 2006 as a way to share her passion for science and combat public apathy about the subject.

There, the longtime Philly resident blogged about science policy, shared examples of citizen science projects (like observing the night sky or setting up a NestCam to view hatchlings), and along the way found others who shared her ideals: professionals who studied and worked in scientific industries and just so happened to cheer for national football or basketball teams. (more…)

Sorry Geeks, but Karabots are not cybernetic robots named Kara programmed to destroy.

The Karabots Junior Fellows Program is an initiative from the College of Physicians of Philadelphia (you know, the Mütter Museum) that aims “to provide practical assistance, mentoring, and academic and social support to a select group of Philadelphia high school students from communities under-represented in current healthcare professions.”

At this month’s Science on Tap, you can meet Jacqui Bowman, the Director or the Karabots program. She’ll be talking about the program and how they “use the world-famous Mütter Museum and Historical Medical library to inspire and encourage Philadelphia teens.”

Should be a good time, as is every Science on Tap. Come learn something.

Science on Tap @ National Mechanics
Monday, December 12th at 6 pm

National Mechanics
22 South 3rd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 701-4883
www.nationalmechanics.com

Jason C. Poole, either on a dig or the set of Jurassic Park

Two posts about the Academy of Natural Sciences in one day? Damn right.

Cancel your plans tonight geeks, tonight is Science on Tap over at National Mechanics. The guest speaker? Jason C. Poole, the manager of the Fossil Prep Lab at the Academy of Natural Sciences. You might also recognize him from Mega Bad Movie Night and the film Jurassic Park.

Poole will be discussing how, “over the course of three field seasons in Argentina, a multi-organization team excavated a super-massive dinosaur fossil that is approximately 66 million years old. The fossil preparation process for its 400 bones began last August and continues today in the Academy’s Fossil Prep Lab.”

He’ll talk about what a dig is really like, how fossils make their way to the museum, and what happens next. National Mechanics will, no doubt, have some sort of awesome drink special, so head on over.

See you there!

Science on Tap @ National Mechanics
Monday, November 14 at 6 pm

National Mechanics
22 South 3rd Street Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 701-4883
www.nationalmechanics.com

First of all, I sincerely apologize for that ridiculous long header. But how else do you phrase something like that? What? You think you can do better? Fine, bring it. Leave your title in the comments, smart guy.

But I digress.

Dr. Jon Gelhaus, an evolutionary biologist at the Academy of Natural Sciences, has been working hard to help improve water quality in Mongolia, heading up a multinational effort to do so. As a result of his hard work, he was recently awarded “Best Scientist in Nature and Environment” from the Mongolian Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism through the Mongolian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Well done sir!

Scientists working in a stream for the Mongolian Aquatic Insect Survey

According to a press release from the Academy, Gelhaus has been “a curator in the Academy’s Entomology Department [and] has been conducting research in Mongolia for 15 years.”

Gelhaus is “the lead principal investigator for the Mongolian Aquatic Insect Survey, a multiyear project to document the diversity of insects that live in or near freshwater and to relate that diversity to patterns in evolution, ecology and water quality.”

He’s collaborated with researchers all over the world to “improve scientific facilities for identification and analysis of biological samples; enhance water quality monitoring standards, and train young Mongolian scientists and students to carry on the work of the initiative.”

Well done, Dr. Gelhaus! We’re proud. To learn more about Gelhaus and his projects, visit the Asia Center section of the Academy’s official website.

A number of beautiful, exquisite sculptures from Italy are making their debut in the United States at the Academy of Natural Sciences… oh, and the sculptures are of insects.

Visitors can look forward to scoping out a 10 foot tall long-armed beetle, a butterfly with a five foot wingspan, and more. According to the Academy, these pieces “highlight the beauty and complexity of the often maligned mini-beasts of nature.”

Not all the bugs are pieces of art, mind you. The Academy’s entomologists (bug people) will be there, introducing visitors to live insects from the Academy’s collection.

The new exhibit runs through Monday, January 16th. I’ll be sending a Geekadelphian there with a video camera shortly. Gotta scope out those bugs. For more information, visit the Academy’s official website.

Bugs Outside the Box
October 22nd, 2011 – January 16th, 2012
www.ansp.org/bugs-outside-the-box

The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (19103)
(215) 299-1043
www.ansp.org

George can look for nice CRM solution for his job on this page.

Already planning to hit up National Mechanics tonight? Great! Because the popular geek haven is hosting a special food-centric Science on Tap this evening.

Entitled Chile Peppers: Heat and History, this session will be led by Joseph Rucker, Ph.D., Director of Research and Development at Integral Molecular, Inc. Here’s the details from the Academy’s press release.

In this spicy illustrated talk, biochemist Joseph Rucker will share his personal interest in the history and science of chile peppers.

Chile peppers are one of the most notable gifts of the New World to the Old. The global spread of chile peppers altered world cuisine, giving us everything from moles to masalas. Just as important, the “heat” of chile peppers provides a window for understanding the sensations of pain and temperature.

This month’s Science on Tap is being presented by the APS museum. I’ll see you there, geeks!

Science on Tap @ National Mechanics
Monday, September 12th at 6 pm
www.nationalmechanics.com

South Street Bridge looking west, c. 1900. Collection of the Wagner Free Institute of Science Library & Archives.

This Wednesday, our friends over at the Wagner Free Institute of Science are hosting another one of their fabulous lectures.

Entitled Creating a Machine Civilization: Photography, Technology and American Culture, this illustrated presentation by Temple University’s Miles Orvell explores “the changing world of the early 20th century when technology was rapidly transforming American life.”

He’ll “discuss [the] transformation of the workplace under the influence of machine technology. His talk will include many images from the Institute’s recently digitized lantern slide collection, including views of bridges, sewers, rail and road construction dating to the turn of the twentieth century.”

The Institute will stay open late (until 7pm!), so you’ll be able to explore the building and the museum’s collections before the lecture, which kicks off at 5:30pm. Admission is free.

For more information on the talk and Miles Orvell, visit the Wagner’s official website.

Wagner Free Institute of Science
1700 West Montgomery Avenue (19121)
(215) 763-6529
www.wagnerfreeinstitute.org

Surely you’re familiar with the Antique Roadshow, the televised showcase of folks getting their rare items / junk appraised, often to the surprise of the owner of said junk.

Well, the Wagner Free Institute of Science has a similar event, inviting guests to bring their natural history finds to the museum for identification. The Natural History Road Show.

The event kicks off on Saturday, May 7th, running from noon til 4pm. Guests can look forward to a panel of “experts specializing in shells, insects, fossils, rocks and minerals” identifying their items. The science institute has exhibitions, lectures, and presentations planned through out the afternoon.

For a full list of events and speakers, visit the Wagner’s official website. Good luck!

Wagner Free Institute of Science
1700 West Montgomery Avenue (19121)
(215) 763-6529
www.wagnerfreeinstitute.org