by Rebecca Woods
March Nerd Nite on the Rocks
There is evidence to suggest that the types of gender-typical toys children prefer can be explained by biological factors such as hormones that predispose children to prefer those types of toys. However, countless studies demonstrate that many of the differences between the sexes once thought to be biologically determined, actually originate from societally-constructed environmental differences. Can the same be said about toy preferences? Studies investigating the emergence of these preferences in infancy and toddlerhood can help answer this question.
By Jade Harveland
March Nerd Nite on the Rocks
In the back streets of Whitechapel late 1800’s fear had a name. It’s name was Jack, but behind the masquerade of a killer, surely there was a real person. Join three-peat Nerd Nite speaker, Jade Harveland, for a tour of the events surrounding the infamous serial killer known as Jack the Ripper.
February Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Aria Harveland
You may have heard of the term “TERF”, but have you heard of the term “SWERF”? In her presentation, sex educator and relationship coach Aria Harveland will explore how prostitution fits within our ever evolving social systems. She’ll examine current regulations around the world and how they fall short. She’ll also discuss the experiences of current-day sex workers. Together, we’ll ask why prostitution should or shouldn’t be legal.
Trauma, the Brain, & What it Means for All of Us
January Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Laura Hanley
The impact of trauma on the wellbeing of individuals and our society has received increasing awareness in recent decades. Laura Hanley, trauma therapist and avowed nerd, will discuss how traumatic experiences influence the brain and why trauma early in life shapes our development and affects our health—even decades later. Trauma awareness has an interesting history that she’ll share with us and she’ll explain how and why “trigger” has become the new buzzword. Drawing from research on the topic and with insight from her own experiences, you’ll learn ways to address trauma that you or others may have experienced…and you’ll find out who the heck SAMHSA is and the meaning of their four R’s.
January Nerd Nite on the Rocks
Daniel Zwilling
BJJ Black Belt and general know-it-all, Professor Daniel Zwilling, discusses just a few of the hundreds of reasons that he thinks absolutely everyone should try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (that you haven’t heard before). You will hear from an unathletic 30-something about some of the physical, mental, and social benefits of the practice. This will be liberally peppered with anecdotes from 15 years of combat sports training.
November Nerd Nite on the Rocks
by Andrew and Melissa Grosberg
Join mead maker Andrew Grosberg as he discusses mead, the oldest alcoholic beverage known to man. He will discuss the history of mead from its advent over 12,000 years ago to its rise, fall, and rise again in popularity. Learn what makes for different flavors of mead, from the honey that is used to the flavoring added.
October Nerd Nite on the Rocks
by Jamie Jensen
What’s green, red, and black all over? It’s Batman’s feminine adversaries, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and Cat Woman. These lovely ladies, and several others like them, have a lot more in common than their sexy figures. Join Jamie as she takes us for a deep dive into the history of the female villains of the Batman comics. Learn the circumstances surrounding their origin stories and their creation as addendums for their male counterparts. Find out how they add complexity to comics by introducing moral gray areas and serving as foils to the more straightforward “good versus evil” of male villains.
