April 3rd Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Steven Wilson
Ever wondered why endurance runners willingly sign up for hours of suffering, questionable toenail health, and an ongoing battle with gravity? This talk will explore the different types of endurance running—from marathons to ultramarathons—and what it really takes to participate in the sport. Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a casual jogger, or just here for the schadenfreude, you’ll get an inside look at the mental and physical grit required to keep putting one foot in front of the other… for way too many miles.
April Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Mary Jordan
What happens when you set out to drive America’s first transcontinental highway from San Francisco to New York? A whole lot of history, a few wrong turns, and more gas station food than one person should probably consume. Join me for a fast-paced journey down the Lincoln Highway, where I explored public libraries, quirky roadside attractions, historic landmarks, and the fine art of finding the least sketchy place to sleep each night. It’s 3,000 miles of adventure—no GPS required.
February 6 Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Heidi Jeub
Discover how to turn what feels like a whirlwind of intuitive decisions into a well-crafted strategic plan. In this talk, Heidi, owner of Heijeu Arts, will break down the process of aligning creative instincts with logical strategies, using her own experiences as vivid illustrations. With humor and insight, she’ll show how saying “no” to what doesn’t fit can be the first step in building a purposeful path—and how anyone can transform free-spirited choices into a roadmap for success.
February 6th Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Aricka Harveland
Dive into the world of executive function: the brain’s project manager that keeps things running smoothly—or doesn’t. Aricka will cover the basics, like what executive function is (and why it’s not just “common sense”), what happens in your brain when it works (and when it throws a tantrum), and the symptoms of executive dysfunction that might feel all too familiar. They’ll explore potential causes (spoiler: it’s not because you’re lazy), describe what living with it actually feels like (yes, forgetting why you walked into the kitchen is included), and share real-life examples of executive dysfunction in action. Finally, they’ll arm you with tricks to outsmart your brain when it’s being less of a helpful assistant and more of a chaotic gremlin. Whether you’re here to learn about yourself, someone you love, or just for the laughs, you’re in the right place.
December Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Marcy Young Illies
Ever wonder why Minnesotans are so gosh-darn nice (or at least seem to be)? This talk dives into the mysterious world of “Minnesota Nice”—that sweet-yet-passive-aggressive charm that’s practically an art form. We’ll unpack what it really means to be “Minnesota Nice,” how it stacks up against similar vibes in other regions (like Canada’s “sorrys” or the South’s “bless your hearts”), and whether this politeness is a case of evoked culture—innate responses triggered by the environment —or transmitted culture, where the niceness is learned and passed down like Grandma’s hotdish recipe at a potluck. Come for the insight, stay for the unspoken Midwest goodbyes!
December Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Coleman Henry
The St. Cloud Nutrient, Energy, Water (NEW) Recovery Facility is where your flush meets the future! Treating 10 million gallons of sewage daily, it ensures water from St. Cloud and surrounding communities that’s discharged into the Mississippi River is cleaner than what came in. Microorganisms work hard behind the scenes, munching on organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus, while biogas from the process powers the facility with green energy—talk about a win-win! But moreover, captured solids are transformed into Class-A biosolid soil conditioners and phosphorus-packed fertilizers, giving farms a nutrient boost. The facility does so much, yet the only waste that leaves is a weekly dumpster of things that really shouldn’t have been flushed (looking at you, random toothbrushes). In short, the NEW facility turns waste into clean water, renewable energy, and fertilizers—proving that even sewage can have a second act!
October Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Jess Kowalke
In her presentation, aurora aficionado Jess Kowalke will explain the science behind the stunning displays mother nature periodically paints for us in the night sky. She’ll also explain how to prepare for a perfect viewing and how you’ll know it’s time to jump out of bed, put your pants on, and get out to your favorite sky-gazing spot!
October Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Carl Ferkinhoff
Modern cutting-edge astronomy takes more than setting up a small telescope in the back yard. Some observations require traveling to the most extreme locations on earth that have significant effects on the human body. In this talk Carl will summarize his research into these extreme galaxies, performed while being “drunk”!
August Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Angela Djoumbaye
A talk on privileges and social power that we hold and how to use them for good. Privilege is something that we all can relate to, this discussion will identify the different kinds of privileges from skin tone to religious practices and multiple others that you may not have considered. If you are open to hearing about the ways that you could have privilege, this talk is for you!
August Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Aria Harveland
As anti-LGBTQ sentiment continues to sweep the nation, it is more important than ever to be a good ally. In this short talk, Aria, a queer psychology student, will tell you how you can make a difference. Learn all about the science and history of the Alphabet Mafia, debunk harmful myths, and decipher ever changing terminology.
