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.
December Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Aria Harveland
Prepare to unwrap the gift of knowledge as we sleigh the misconceptions about Christmas! Join us for a merry jaunt through history, where we’ll unravel the not-so-saintly origins of this festive season. From Saturnalia shenanigans to Yule logs burning brighter than Rudolph’s nose, we’ll explore the eclectic mix of traditions that deck the halls and jingle the bells of modern-day Christmas. It’s a ho-ho-whole new perspective on the holiday season. “Yule” be surprised at what you learn!
December Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Anita Fischer
Despite many nerds’ attempts to deny, delay, or downplay death, the fact is we will all die someday. Some people (I won’t name names – ahem, me) have even pondered how and when they will die. Well, no crystal ball exists in this presentation. BUT, pay attention. You can learn more about the impact of what it means to be a donor after your death. Organ, eye, and tissue donation cannot happen without the generous decisions of those who are willing to momentarily gaze into the face of their own death and decide to make their final choice (one that comes after you are no longer able to make choices) to provide hope, healing, and meaning for others. What can be donated? Who can donate? How can one be a donor? All this will be revealed while you sip an excellent beer, wine, or cocktail. The best way to talk about death.
November Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Cody Aguirre
As most of you may or may not know, there was a pandemic a couple of years ago called RONA, or more commonly, COVID-19. This was a SARS grade virus that would infect its host and sometimes kill them. With this new virus came a need for research, testing, surveillance, a vaccine, the whole shebang! The crazy amount of information that was learned and revised again and again within months was insurmountable. That’s where Cody Aguirre, a Native Texan, came in, because from 2020-2022 researching and testing COVID-19 was his life, and he’s here to share that with y’all.
November Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Laura Hadley
In this interactive talk, Laura will review how mothers became a linchpin in today’s economy and the positive impact they offer to businesses, families, and even their own children through their work outside the home. However, as any mother will tell you, “having it all” is a bit of a myth and despite their positive impact, mothers are often overworked, overwhelmed, and held back by their motherhood. This talk aims to promote discussion about internal biases we may or may not have towards mothers as well as gives an opportunity for mothers to connect and talk about how they manage to have it all–and what they need to alter the current dynamic.
