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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
January Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Sara Falk
Mental health has become a big topic of discussion throughout our society, particularly after experiencing a global pandemic. However, we often talk about mental health as if it starts sometime in adolescence or adulthood. The truth is that mental health starts developing from the moment we are born (and maybe even before that!). Let’s talk about what mental health looks like in the first years of life and what babies need from us to build a strong foundation for lifelong mental health.
December Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Elizabeth Schultz
This talk dives into the fascinating psychology behind colors. Starting with an exploration of how colors impact our perceptions, it delves deeper into the personalities associated with different colors and their relevance in various contexts. From decoding what our favorite colors reveal about us to understanding which colors are optimal for creating positive first impressions in interviews, dates, and interior spaces, this discussion navigates the intricate relationship between color choices and human perceptions.
