Navigating the Caregiving Journey: Understanding the Stages of Dementia Caregiving & Anticipatory Grief

Black and white image of two aging adults holding hands

May Nerd Nite on the Rocks

Tami Kolbinger & Cristina Rodriguez

No single caregiver’s journey is the same when taking care of a loved one with dementia. Join D-CAN to get a better understanding of the stages of dementia caregiving and a discussion about anticipatory grief which can occur before the loss of the person who you are providing care.

Stop the Bleed

White first aid kit with red cross sits in front of a blue background

May Nerd Nite on the Rocks

Kevin Peine

Bleeding is the number one killer of trauma patients. A person can die in 3-5 minutes, and it takes First Responders an average of 7 minutes to arrive in urban settings and even longer in rural and remote areas. Stop the Bleed is a training program that teaches civilians with little to no medical training to be immediate responders when tragedy strikes and someone needs bleeding control interventions. The skills taught in Stop the Bleed are the same skills that are utilized by combat troops to keep their buddies alive until help arrives.

Reenvisioning Aumakua & Huna: Spirituality & Spirit Animals of Hawaii

Sea turtle floats just under the surface of the ocean water with coral below

April Nerd Nite on the Rocks

Rebecca Woods

Rooted in indigenous wisdom, Hawaiian spirituality emphasizes harmony with nature, interconnectedness, and the cultivation of inner wisdom. In her presentation, Rebecca will discuss the belief system she was raised with from the age of two that is founded on these ideals. This New Age philosophy was born from Hawaiian spiritual beliefs and merged with scientific inquiry on the brain and body at that time. Through this exploration, we can gain insights into the holistic nature of human experience, where spirituality, neuroscience, and contemplative practices intersect to nurture well-being and understanding.

Fly Fishing: A Nerd’s Passport to Sophistication

April Nerd Nite on the Rocks

Steven Wilson

Flyfishing is often associated with wealth, a bit of magic, and trips to western trout streams. However, fly fishing works for more than just trout. In fact, most fish species found in Minnesota can be caught using fly fishing equipment. In his presentation, Steven will outline the basics for wading into the sport.

No March Nerd Nite

Puppy with glasses looks sad

Hacking AI – How to Defend Yourself Against the AI Apocalypse

Profile of human-looking android

February Nerd Nite on the Rocks

Evan Pederson

Given the inevitable AI apocalypse how does one stay ahead against a malevolent omnipotent machine? Let’s discuss some conceptual tools that can be used to fight against a rogue AI, or cause one. The topics covered shall be a light introduction to AI, light introduction to cybersecurity, hardware and software injection attacks against AI, and some other attack type vectors that can be used against AI. If there is a time a demo shall be given. 

Playing with Fire: Wood-Fired Ceramics

Two tan and cream-colored wood-fired ceramic cups with geometric etchings sit atop a wooden surface.

February Nerd Nite on the Rocks

Melissa Gohman

Delve into the fascinating world of clay with Melissa Gohman as she shares her enriching experience in building and firing a wood-fired soda kiln. Melissa, an art teacher with over 20 years experience, has specialized in ceramic sculpture and pottery since earning her BFA and Master’s degrees in ceramics from SCSU. She’ll discuss the intricate processes that artists employ to craft stunning pottery and sculptures from raw clay to finished masterpieces. Gain insights into the unique challenges and joys of working with this traditional firing technique and explore the artistry and craftsmanship behind the magic of ceramic sculpture and pottery.

Porn’s Relationship to Exploitation*

Woman's face from lips to chin with bright red lipstick and white blond hair

February Nerd Nite on the Rocks

Bri Cornell

Our society paints pornography as being an empowering tool for people to explore and embrace their sexuality. There are so many categories, options, and things to make you feel good. Right? Not exactly. In this presentation, Bri will unpack the problematic ideas that porn is empowering for performers and that they make so much money they don’t know what to do with it. We will also talk about the realities performers face in the sex industry and how those are linked with human trafficking, which is one of the world’s largest human rights issues.

*Content warning, as some of the topics presented can be triggering and are not suitable for kiddos.

A Deep Dive into High School Robotics

A robot that resembles Pixar's WALL-E on black surface with gray background

January Nerd Nite on the Rocks

Ryan Swanson, Paige Erickson, & Adam Bertsch

FIRST Robotics is the competitive high school sport that you wish you had when you were in school. Coaches and student members from the Sartell Robotics team will describe the FIRST Robotics competition program, dive deep into what makes their robots tick, and give you a glimpse into the exciting program that you missed out on in high school. Hear about the program from one of the best robotics teams in the state, and if you’re lucky, get a chance to drive the robot!

Preserving the Mind: Strategies for Dementia Prevention & Cognitive Well-being

The word Dementia is spelled out using white scrabble tiles on a white background

January Nerd Nite on the Rocks

Tami Kolbinger & Cristina Rodriguez

Dementia is no laughing matter, but these two presenters, with their unique and animated style, will certainly keep you entertained. Join Cristina and Tami from Central Minnesota Dementia Community Action Network as they go over dementia basics and prevention tips. If you want to start taking preventative action as your new year’s resolution, then you should definitely come to Nerd Night on January 4th.