Why is it impossible to stick to those New Year’s resolutions? How does the art of folding paper apply to satellites? What is M.I.S.T and what does it have to do with ET? Learn the answers to these questions and more at our next Nerd Nite Orlando!
Nerd Nite Orlando is an evening of entertaining yet thought-provoking talks across many disciplines – all while the audience drinks along in a casual bar atmosphere. 3 speakers will present for 20-25 minutes each on a fascinating subject of their choice, often in an uncanny and unconventional way.
It’s like the Discovery Channel – with beer! Come meet up, drink, and learn something new!
EVENT:
Thursday, January 9th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Stardust Video and Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Rd. Winter Park, FL 32803.
Facebook Event <–be sure to RSVP!
FREE!
PRESENTATIONS:
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“Resolving Resolutions: Habits Are Hard As Hell To Make and Break” by Valerie Cepero
As they say in Texas:”If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.” The idea of starting fresh in the New Year inspires many of us to make resolutions about bettering ourselves. If there is something that you don’t like about yourself or is interfering with the pursuit of your goals, well, just change it. Seems simple, doesn’t it? But, as anyone who has ever tried to stick to their resolutions knows, it is far from simple or easy. Change can be slow, frustrating, and painful; it can also be engrossing and inspiring. Whether being a better boss, improving your overall health, or dealing with stress more effectively, change is the most difficult-yet rewarding-thing any of us can ever do…So why is change so difficult? And how can change be fostered?
Valerie Cepero is currently pursuing her second B.A. from UCF, this time in Biochemistry, after changing her mind about law school. As a lifetime lover of learning, she’s also one of the organizers of Nerd Nite Orlando! She’s been naturally inquisitive for as long as she can remember and enjoys sharing her love of knowledge with others. In her spare time, she likes to volunteer for the Adult Literacy League of Central Florida, skydive, and have discussions about philosophy, psychology, and history.
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“Origami Spaceflight: The Art of Folding Satellite Sails” by Skyler Kleinschmidt
Paper cranes in space! Well not exactly, but the same principles that underlie origami design can be applied to the shape of drag sails for satellites! The Japanese artform used to fold a piece of paper into a marsh-dwelling bird can also help engineers solve crucial design dilemmas, such as how to fit a large sail into the tiny payload bay of a nanosatellite, or how to efficiently deploy and retract the sail over the course of a mission. After this intriguing talk, you’ll never look at origami or space travel the same way again
Skyler Kleinschmidt is a design engineer for NASA on the Space Launch System (SLS), which will be America’s new heavy lift rocket. He recently received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In addition to folding paper, he has a love of world travel and works on homemade drones as a hobby.
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“The ET Files: Move over M.I.B! ” by Derek “Agent D” Demeter
You may have heard of the Men In Black (M.I.B) before, but I bet you have never heard of the
super-top-secret Men In Silver Ties (M.I.S.T)! Join M.I.S.T.’s very own Agent D on a truly scientific exploration of extraterrestrial life in the universe. He will help us understand the implications of ET for the human race as well as how we can and do search for signs of other intelligent beings!
Derek Demeter has been Planetarium Director at Seminole State College of Florida since 2007, where he writes and produces new shows that explore the astronomy and history of numerous cultures from around the world. Derek also promotes science beyond the planetarium with his appearances at many other venues such as the Harmony Dark Sky Festival, Cafe Science of Orlando, local libraries, serving as Vice President of the Central Florida Astronomical Society, or simply setting up a telescope at local shopping centers to give the public a truly “out-of-this world” experience.