Science and the Liberal Arts

3:15 p.m.
Regents Hall 310

The Liberal Art of Science
A. Truman Schwartz, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, Macalester College. Liberal arts colleges produce a disproportionate percentage of graduates who go on to earn doctorates in the sciences and mathematics. This is no accident, but evidence supporting the contention that science is one of the liberal arts and should be taught as such.   Schwartz will describe the goals of a liberal education and demonstrate the role of science (and chemistry in particular) in achieving those goals.

Science, Art, and the Imagination
An art exhibit that brings art and science together, with an emphasis on the role of the imagination in the creation of work and pursuit of science. Artists: Daniel Kelm, Amanda Means, Merrill Steiger, Susan B. Woods

Opening reception for the exhibit Science, Art, and the Imagination
Merrill Steiger, painter, will speak at 5 p.m. on The Unseen World.

A Conversation on Poetic Science: The Bookworks of Daniel E. Kelm
Daniel E. Kelm, artist. Kelm’s work is in the exhibit Science, Art and the Imagination

No Agreement to Separate: G. Ledyard Stebbins and Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, 1959-1973  
Betty Smocovitis, Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar and Professor of Zoology and History at the University of Florida, will explore the nature of divisions and controversies in the history of science by following the split between naturalists and molecular geneticists in the 1960’s and subsequent attempts to reconcile evolution with development and genetics.

Singing his Praises: Darwin and His Theory in Song
Betty Smocovitis, Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar and Professor of Zoology and History at the University of Florida,
will reflect on Darwin, his theory, and its expression in popular culture. Many musical excerpts will be played and discussed. A 200th birthday celebration for Charles Darwin will follow the talk.

Oct. 1–4, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4–5, 2 p.m.
Speech-Theater Building Haugen Theatre

The Aerodynamics of Accident
A comedy by playwright Deborah Stein set in 1897, about an ambitious young girl who crashes to her death in an experimental flying machine and returns to haunt the house of a reclusive widow and upstart professor.

What Impact Can St. Olaf Students Make in the Advancement of Issues Related to Math and Science?
Alumni Science Symposium: Panel Discussion

Moderator: Anne Walter, Professor of Biology, St. Olaf College

Dr. Theresa Wise '89
Chief Information Officer, Northwest/Delta Airlines

Dr. Alison Wallace '89
Professor of Biosciences, Minnesota State University Moorhead

Dr. Helen Piwnica-Worms '79
Gerty T. Cori Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine

Dr. Kathryn J. Wahl '87
Research Materials Scientist, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

Dr. Roger Stolen '59
Visiting Professor of Material Science and Engineering, Clemson University

Reception follows in Buntrock Commons, Crossroads

Dedication Plenary Address
Dr. Freeman Hrabowski III
President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Hrabowski is a nationally recognized advocate for improvements in science and math education, with a special emphasis on minority participation and performance. He has served as president of the University of Maryland, since 1992 and he is also a consultant to the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the National Academies, and universities and school systems nationally.

A light reception will follow Dr. Hrabowski’s presentation.

Celebrating the Sciences
St. Olaf Band, Timothy Mahr conducting.
An evening of musical selections representing a scientific theme, including Don Freund’s Exotic Particles and the Confinement of Quarks, Roger Cichy’s “Heptomical Infusions” from Geometic Dances, Frank Ticheli’s Nitro and Jayce Ogren’s Symphonies of Gaia.

Gallery talk
Susan B. Woods, sculptor and performance artist
          

Cocoon
Susan B. Woods, performance artist, presents her own metamorphosis into a cocoon.

Discussion of the book Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman.
Exerpt from Einstein's Dreams.

The Mathematics of Fiction
Manil Suri talks about the experience of being both a novelist and a mathematician, and the synergy generated between the two endeavors. An essential strategy in mathematics is to decompose a process into its basic building blocks from which new processes can be built. The presentation will show how this fundamental idea can be used to compose a symphony, create an image, make Marilyn Monroe smile, and, surprisingly, create a fictional piece. No prior mathematical knowledge is needed.

The Age of Shiva
Manil Suri reads from and discusses his novel. Summary of book.

The Mathematics of Elections
Kay Smith, St. Olaf College

Science Scenes
This 45-minute documentary about the history of science education at St. Olaf was created by the Shaw-Olson Center for College History staff in honor of the college's academic theme for the year. Discussion and dessert reception to follow.

The Full Monty Hall
In a book review, Brian Hayes mentioned the old Monty Hall three-door puzzle (from the TV game show Let's Make a Deal). He was surprised to get letters in response, including several that disputed the correctness of the correct solution. So he wrote a followup essay about this which, of course, brought even more letters from more skeptics. Reflecting on this experience, Hayes will explore how we persuade ourselves and other people that a mathematical result is true, and what happens when the process of persuasion fails.

STEM* as an Essential Literacy for a Healthy Society
Eric Jolly, President of the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Dr. Jolly's professional career reflects his broad interests and commitment to service. Some of his accomplishments include:

* A leader in the Native American community; known for his skill as a traditional storyteller and basket weaver

* Among the first Americans to train psychologists of the Eastern Block countries in substance abuse and cultural treatment strategies

* Vice President and Senior Scientist at the Education Development Center, a "global nonprofit organization that designs, delivers and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the world's most urgent challenges"

* Co-author of resources for educators including Bridging Homes and Schools: Tools for Family Involvement in Multilingual Communities and Beyond Blame: Reacting to the Terrorist Attack

*STEM abbreviates Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Events will be added as they are scheduled.
For more information contact Kay Smith.