Minnesota Nice: A Cultural Personality Trait

Blue and yellow Minnesota road sign with the words Minnesota Nice and a winky emoji

December Nerd Nite on the Rocks

Marcy 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!

Flushing the Future in St. Cloud: Transforming Sewage into Clean Water, Renewable Energy, and Bio-Based Fertilizers

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!

The Science of the Aurora: Getting You to “Pants On!”

person stands in silhouette gazing up with a backdrop of the northern lights

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!

Drunk Science: Studying the Most Extreme Galaxies of the Universe While “Drunk”

Person with large telescope stands silhouetted in front of night sky with milky way in the background

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”!

Check Your Privilege

Silhouettes of people of many ages, colors, genders, ethnicities

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!

Pride & Prejudice: Understanding & Supporting Your Peer Queers

Hand make the shape of a heart with rainbow colored overlay

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.

From Fur to Feather & All That’s in Between, the Animal Kingdom is a Wild, Wonderful, and Sometimes Wacky World!

Giraffe with nerd glasses looks at the camera

June Nerd Nite on the Rocks

Joan Hemker & Jacqueline Poepping

Get ready for a wild ride through the animal kingdom, where fur, feathers, and everything in-between come together in a fantastic fusion of fluff and finesse! From the sleek fur of prowling predators to the soft feathers of soaring birds, we’re exploring the diverse coverings that make each creature unique.

More on Hemker Zoo: What started as a modest dream in 1977 has expanded to offer families intimate encounters with over 75 different species from across the world. Hemker Park & Zoo’s mission is to showcase and promote animal species while fostering environmental conservation through collaborative partnerships and effective wildlife management strategies. The zoo is dedicated to conveying the marvel and significance of conservation, as well as the vital role animals play in our ecosystem. Visitors can anticipate gaining insights about our planet and enjoying the company of over 200 animals that reside at Hemker Park & Zoo.

Pour Genius: Unveiling the Art & Science of Cider Making

June Nerd Nite on the Rocks

Peter Gillitzer

Co-founder of Milk & Honey Ciders, Peter Gillitzer, will discuss how cider making experts turn delicious apples into sparkling hard cider.

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.