November Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Krista Dotseth
Do you need therapy?!! “Hold up, heeyyy…” You may already be using a form of therapy if you sang those three words in your head! In fact, you’re practicing a form of therapy by coming to this event! Join us at Nerd Nite to learn about this little hidden gem, Recreational Therapy. How can a simple leisure activity be valuable to our health and wellbeing? How do we foster a balance between work and play? We may be more apt to work on life when it doesn’t seem so hard, maybe even a little fun, and who knows? Maybe you could find a sense of purpose in the process!
October Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Mark Becker
Most people don’t know their personality type, nor seem to care. The surprising part about that, is that your personality dictates SO much of how you live your life on a day to day basis. If there are certain things about your habits and patterns that you wish you could change, but can’t seem to – it’s likely tied to your personality. Once you realize this – it provides a level of peace and understanding that helps you learn to accept yourself and others for who they truly are.
October Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Jamie Jensen
In her presentation, Jamie will provide an analysis of religion as it appears in fantasy literature via implicit themes or allegory. She will explore topics including dogmatism, institutionalization, identity, and colonialism found in writings from authors such as Tolkien, Lewis, Rowling, Pullman, Sanderson, Weeks, and Gaiman. Warning: Potential spoilers.
October Nerd Nite on the Rocks
John Houston
The biggest technological revolution in human history is underway. The age of Artificial intelligence (AI) will usher in countless marvels. Some will be for the greater good, while others will present a serious threat to life as we know it. The social and ethical implications of AI are staggering. We are not prepared for what is coming as individuals, Americans, or citizens of the world. On that happy note, raise a glass (or three) with us as we greet the dawn of a new and uncertain era.
Humans and cyborgs welcome.
September Nerd Nite on the Rocks
John Mielke
April 8th, 2024 will bring the last total solar eclipse the U.S. will see until 2044. Get ready for this rare celestial event by joining John as he gives tips on where to go, what to bring, and how best to enjoy your four minutes of looking at the dark side of the moon.
September Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Aria Harveland
As a lover of alliteration, Aria, a certified relationship coach, developed five essential skills necessary to improve and sustain great romantic relationships. These easy to remember “5 Cs” are her answer to questions couples ask every day about how to keep their relationships happy and healthy. Discover practical insights and valuable advice that can transform your relationship journey.
June Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Rick Rentz
Rick started out as a child, and hasn’t really grown up because he’s still plays with toys! Ancient toys began with rocks and sticks. Stones were used to build cairns, play catch, and skim on water. Sticks could be made into spears among other things, and sticks that you could throw and would come back to you were called boomerangs. When people began to make strings, it opened up a whole new world of toys. Buzz toys, bullroarers, and diablos were all made with strings. Rick will give us a closer look at some of these toys and more.
June Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Rebecca Woods
Every year, countless drug trials fail, not because the drugs didn’t work, but because the “ruler” that was used to measure their efficacy wasn’t suitable for detecting real-world changes. For children with rare neurodevelopmental disorders, the measurement problem is especially challenging because a one-size-fits-all approach can’t address the variety in symptomology inherent to such disorders. In her presentation, Rebecca will discuss barriers to effective clinical assessment of children with neurodevelopmental disorders and describe methods being used to resolve these issues.
May Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Jade Harveland
Many say Emperor Palpatine was the grand puppet master pulling the strings in the Star Wars saga. Was Palpatine just evil for the sake of evil or were his motivations forward thinking with the goal of helping save the galaxy from a secret invasion?
May Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Steven Wilson
Steven Wilson, engineer and programmer, has spent over 10 years designing software. In his presentation, he’ll discuss the basics of computer programming and he’ll explain the process of designing a program and coding. He’ll also give a brief history of programming and how it has become more accessible to everyone.
