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Science Symposium to examine cosmic questions

By Anna Stevens '10
May 4, 2007

What is humankind's place in the universe? During the 8th annual Science Symposium on May 4, three experts in the search for extraterrestrial life will explore the progress being made toward better understanding our place in the universe. Their lectures will be digitally streamed. The Science Symposium is free and all events are open to the public.

St. Olaf Professor of Mathematics Paul Zorn describes the Science Symposium, sponsored by the Hardy Chair, as full of promise and excitement on a "truly gigantic scale." The revolutionary developments of the past decade, capped by the realization that empty space probably contains most of the energy in our observable universe, has dramatically changed our thinking about the future.

"The questions our speakers will address are about as big and as basic as scientific questions can be," says Zorn. "What is our universe made of? Is it growing or shrinking, and how do we know? Are we alone on Earth, or might life exist elsewhere?"

The evening speaker, Lawrence M. Krauss, professor of physics and astronomy at Case Western Reserve University, will answer some of these 'gigantic' questions. An internationally known theoretical physicist, he has investigated questions ranging from the nature of exploding stars to issues of the origin of all mass in the universe. In his plenary address at 7:30 p.m., Krauss will discuss the future of life in our ever-expanding universe.

Michael S. Turner, the Rauner Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago and chief scientist and director of strategic planning for Argonne National Laboratory, will explore the dark side of the universe in the symposium's opening address at 2:15 p.m.

Lisa M. Pratt, professor of geological sciences at Indiana University and director of the NASA astrobiology team project "Life in the Deep Subsurface of Earth and Mars," will discuss looking for life in the subsurface of Mars during her lecture at 3:30 p.m.

The Honors Day Science Symposium celebrates the contributions of the natural sciences and mathematics to the college and to society. The symposium was founded in 1999 with funding provided by the Paul and Mildred Hardy Distinguished Professorship in the Sciences. This annual event highlights undergraduate research in biology, biomedical studies, biomolecular science, chemistry, computer science, environmental studies, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, psychology and statistics, and offers interaction with invited guests working at the forefront of their fields.

The Science Symposium begins at 2 p.m. in Science Center 280 with an introduction and welcome from St. Olaf President David R. Anderson and Ted Johnson, Professor of Biology and Director of Biomedical Studies at St. Olaf, followed by plenary addresses from Turner, Pratt and Krauss (also in Science Center 280).

Posters featuring student research projects will be available for viewing between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in Buntrock Commons, Crossroads, with a formal presentation of research at 4:45 p.m.

Contact Carole Leigh Engblom at 507-786-3271 or leigh@stolaf.edu.