The Smith College Young Science Library Blog will be taking a break during the Spring 2008 semester. Stay tuned for new posts in the fall!

Also, Rebecca Pappert, the library’s Science Reference Librarian, will be leaving the College as of January 11, 2008. We wish Rebecca much luck as she continues her career at the University of Virginia.

Have a great semester everyone!

It’s that wonderful time of year again when the Smith College Botanic Garden has its Annual Fall Chrysanthemum Show! Stop by the conservatory or check out the WEBCAM!

image courtesy of theflowerexpert.com

During this busy time of the semester, I often spot students waiting in the wings to grab a computer on the first floor of the library. Due to the increase in computer use over the past year, we have added addition computers in the basement!

Here’s what we have:

• First floor:
  13 computers for Smith student/faculty/staff use
  3 computers for Five College students/faculty/staff
  1 computer for public use
• Basement:
  5 computers for Smith student/faculty/staff use
• Second floor:
  2 computers for Smith student/faculty/staff use

Printing is available on the first and basement levels.

Questions? Ask-A-Librarian!!!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

• What: Astronomy Department Star Party
• When: 8:30-9:30 pm
• Where: Roof of McConnell Hall
• Who: All are welcome!

The Astronomy Department will be having a star party this Thursday, October 18, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Come see the moon and stars through the telescopes on the roof of McConnell Hall. All are welcome–dress warmly!

Looking to learn more about the natural history of New England? Listen to Field Notes on our local NPR station (88.5 FM, WFCR), which airs Monday mornings.

Michael Marcotrigiano, Director of the Botanic Garden here at Smith College, was interviewed recently by Laurie Sanders about interesting mechanisms of seed dispersal.

CLICK HERE to learn more!

Monday, October 15, 2007

• What: Discussion on graduate opportunities and careers in Psychology and Neuroscience
• When:12:15 pm
• Where: McConnell B05
• Who: Dr. Christina Wllliams

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• What: Hormones and Cognition: Are male-female differences qualitative or quatitative?
• When: 4:00 pm
• Where: McConnell 103
• Who: Dr. Christina Wllliams, Duke University (hosted by Richard Olivo and Margaret Anderson)

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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

• What: Math at IBM
• When: 12:00 pm
• Where: Math Forum (Burton 3rd floor)
• Who: Brenda Dietrich, Director of Mathematical Sciences at IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center,
  Status

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• What: Study Away Information Session for SEA (Sea Education Association)
• When: 4:00 pm
• Where: Bass 102
• Who: Kimberly Gniadek

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• What: Reclaiming the Future
• When: 7:00 pm
• Where: Graham Hall
• Who: David Lowenthal, Professor Emeritus of Geography at University College London

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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

• What: Duke University Graduate School Info Session
• When: 4:15 pm
• Where: Bass 102
• Who: Lisa Rattray, Admissions Officer for Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences

Refreshments will be served

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• What: Economics Department Lecture: “Are ‘Smart Taxes’ the Answer to Global Climate Change”
• When: 4:15 pm
• Where: Stoddard Auditorium
• Who: N. Greg Mankiw, The Robert M. Beren Professor of Economics at Harvard University and Chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers from 2003-2005. His research includes work on price adjustment, consumer behavior, financial markets, monetary and fiscal policy, and economic growth. He is recognized as one of the pioneers in New Keynesian economics

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Thursday, October 18, 2007

• What: LUNCHBAG: “Can Undergraduates do Interdisciplinary Work?
• When: 12:00 pm
• Where: Bass 102
• Who: Virginia Hayssen, Biological Sciences (ES&P) and Leslie King, Sociology (ES&P)

Lunch will be provided
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• What: Neuroscience Presentation of the Major & Minor…Come get connected!
• When: 12:15 pm
• Where: McConnell 404

Lunch will be provided . . . bring a beverage

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Friday, October 19, 2007

• What: Presentation of the Geology Major and Minor
• When: 12:15 pm - 1:00 pm
• Where: Sabin-Reed 101A
• Who: Come meet the faculty and learn about what they teach. Find out what research opportunities are available.

Lunch will be provided
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• What: Fluorescence Microscopy: Visualizing light emitting molecular markers
• When: 1:30-3:30 pm
• Where: Sabin-Reed 411
• Who: Judith Wopereis, CMI

In fluorescence microscopy light emitting stains are used to visualize the localization, concentration or movement of one or more selected molecules or organelles within a sample. Optical components and applications will be discussed in this workshop designed for anyone intending to use the fluorescence microscope in their research or teaching.

I heard this interesting story on NPR yesterday afternoon - a scientist’s quest for the Doomsday Yawn. That is, a yawn *guaranteed* to make others yawn.

Read a small description of the report and listen to the full story HERE.

While listening (and I am really not kidding) I yawned SIX times! Ha!

image from chevroncars.com

Lots of great talks, lectures and events scheduled for next week! Here’s a rundown:

Monday, September 24, 2007

• What: Frontiers in Life Science: Changes in Hospital Care for Childbirth
• When: 12:00pm
• Where: McConnell B05
• Who: Jean L. Kozak, NCHS

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• What: ES&P Lunchbag: “Biodiversity and Conservation Management Research Opportunities in the Tropics.”
• When: 12:15pm
• Where: Bass 102
• Who: Dr. Tim Coles

Lunch provided!
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• What: Sciences Colloquium: Operations WALLACEA, “Converting the Direct Payments Principle into Practical Conservation Management in the Tropics”
• When: 4:00pm
• Where: McConnell 103
• Who: Dr. Tim Coles

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Tuesday, September 25, 2007

• What: Math Lunch Talks: Student Reports from Summer Work
• When: 12:00pm-1:00pm
• Where: Burton Forum (3rd floor)
• Who: Hillary Sackett and Rachel Brown

Lunch provided!
To see the entire Math Lunch Talks schedule, CLICK HERE.
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• What: Study Abroad Fair
• When: All Day!
• Where: Campus Center Lawn
• Who: Come find out about how you can participate in an environmental program around the world, with Smith-approved organizations like the School for International Training, the School for Field Studies, the Organization of Tropical Studies, the Arava Institute and many others…

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Thursday, September 27, 2007

• What: Information Session about Operations WALLACE, Tim Coles
• When: 5:00pm
• Where: Bass 102
• Who: Come get more information and have your questions about the program answered…

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Friday, September 28, 2007

• What: “Light Microscopy: Getting the most out of your compound microscope”
• When: 1:30pm-3:30pm
• Where: Sabin Reed 411
• Who: Judith Wopereis, CMI: Making use of visible light and a system of lenses, the compound microscope allows us to examine fine morphological details resolved and visualized in magnified images. This hands-on workshop will be beneficial for any user wanting to know how to use and properly setup the compound microscope to acquire good quality images.

The Libraries are hosting some RefWorks Workshops over the next two weeks. Registration is still open!

RefWorks Basics

• Monday, September 24, 12pm-1pm
• Thursday, September 27, 12pm-1pm

To register for RefWorks Basics, CLICK HERE.

Write-N-Cite Basics

• Monday, October 1, 12pm-1pm
• Thursday, October 4, 12pm-1pm

To register for Write-N-Cite Basics, CLICK HERE.

Learn more about RefWorks and create an account by visiting the Libraries’ Style Manuals and Citation Guides page.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

• What: Lecture: New Worlds of Water
• When: 8:00pm
• Where: Neilson Library Browsing Room
• Who: Margaret Catley-Carlson
  Chair of The Global Water Partnership, and member of the UN Secretary General Advisory Board on Water

To learn more about Ms. Catley-Carlson and the Global Water Partnership, CLICK HERE.