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First Fridays Climate Series: Drying Out: Understanding California’s Drought
Friday, April 7
6-10 p.m.
All ages, family friendly. Adults $15, Kids/Seniors $10, Members $5
One of the most obvious effects of climate change in California is our prolific drought. Why is California so prone to these dry spells? What are the long-term effects on our ecosystem? How are different communities in the Bay Area affected? Learn from experts how droughts begin, how they affect the plants and animals of our state and what we can do to help slow down drought conditions. Join Ann-Marie Benz from the California Native Plant Society, for a talk about creating a drought-resistant garden by planting California native plants and be sure to stop by their table for hands-on activities demonstrating how drought resistant plants have adapted to survive harsh conditions. See how science and innovation are helping us to understand and combat our drought locally and around the world.
Schedule
Live Science Show: Beat the Heat!
Theater, 6:30pm
Who wants to be a climate activist? Come on down and get creative as a contestant on Beat the Heat, the climate solutions gameshow! As contestants compete through questions and challenges, test your own knowledge of northern California climate change and local opportunities to be a part of the solutions!
Tales from the Periodic Table: Hydrogen
With Ron Hipschman
Lab 2, 6:30pm
Tales From the Periodic Table explores the history, discovery, properties, and applications of elements in the periodic table of the elements. Host Ron Hipschman has explored almost 70 elements and hopes to finish the periodic table, which currently extends to element 118.
For Chabot Space & Science Center, he is resetting at the very first element, Hydrogen with a refreshed presentation and that will not only explore the story behind it but how we look at it with a climate lens.
For over 50 years Exploratorium Senior Scientist Emeritus (and Loose Cannon) Ron Hipschman has worked as an exhibit developer, author, educator, public programs presenter and webcast host. Tales from the Periodic Table began in 2014 at the Exploratorium.
AstroChats – Pluto
Studio 3, 7:00pm
What’s going on with Pluto and why was it reclassified as a dwarf planet? Join one of our Galaxy Explorers for a brief history of Pluto followed by a short Q&A!
A short film presented by Science Communication Lab
Runtime: 00:12:08 (12 min 8 sec), not rated
Plus, a conversation about the film with Beatrix Jiménez-Helsley, Ian Bornarth and Cidney Hue
Theater, 7:30pm
What does a redwood forest look like, and sound like, in the wake of a devastating fire? See a #forest in a new way in this new cinematic short from the Science Communication Lab’s Wonder Collaborative and iBiology. Walk through a fire-ravaged #redwood forest with experts Beatrix Jiménez, a Land Stewardship Associate at the Sempervirens Fund, Ian Bornarth, a Bay Area-based photographer documenting post-fire recovery, and Alex Jones, the UC Santa Cruz Campus Natural Reserve Manager. Their observations make visible the forces of destruction and regrowth throughout the redwood’s ecosystem.
The Science Communication Lab is an innovative non-profit organization dedicated to using multimedia storytelling to engage the public, including educational and scientific communities, in the journey and wonder of science.
Beatrix Jiménez-Helsley is a Natural Resource Manager with Sempervirens Fund, providing management and on-the-ground support for the various lands overseen by the organization. She has worked throughout California in environmental consulting and remediation, performing plant and wildlife surveys, habitat restoration, and environmental compliance.
Ian Bornarth is a Bay Area–based nature and travel photographer. He has been collaborating with the Sempervirens Fund to document the regrowth of the forest after the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fires. Ian holds a BS in photography from Rochester Institute of Technology and an MFA in photography from the University of Hartford.
Cidney Hue is an award-winning writer-director with a focus on building inclusive futures through science films. She is the head of Audience Development and Digital Content Marketing at the Science Communication Lab.
Live Zeiss Astronomy Presentation
East Bay Astronomical Society
Planetarium, 8:00pm
Explore the cosmos as a Chabot Astronomer leads you through the galaxy using a Zeiss Universarium Mark VIII Star Projector.
The State of Our Water Geneva Gondak – East Bay Municipal Utility District
Studio 3, 8:00pm
Despite our most recent round of rain, water conservation is always an important topic in California. Join Water Conservation Representative Geneva Gondak for a talk about current drought conditions and a water supply update for the East Bay. Discover where our water comes from and how climate change affects local droughts. Most importantly, learn about what we can do to conserve water and prepare for future droughts!
A Landscape That Does It All: Native Plant Choices and Design Inspirations
Ann-Marie Benz
Theatre, 8:30pm
This talk will focus on the use of California native plants in creating a low-water landscape that supports biodiversity. Attendees will learn about the benefits of using native plants, as well as how to select and incorporate them into their designs. The talk will provide practical insights and guidance for those looking to create sustainable and beautiful landscapes using California native plants.
Activities and Demonstrations
Chabot’s Weather Station
Studio 3, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Chabot’s Weather Station provides current weather conditions measured from Chabot’s rooftop vantage point. Check out weather data visualizations throughout the evening on several screens.
Oakland Zoo – Live Animals from Low-Water Habitats
Studio 3, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Meet some of the animal ambassadors from the Oakland Zoo up close! These animals are all adapted to environments with little to no water. Discover the different ways these species have found ways to thrive in harsh habitats.
East Bay Chapter – California Native Plant Society
Studio 3, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Stop by their table in Studio 3 to learn more about California native plants and their adaptations that allow them to thrive in times of extreme drought and heavy rains.
East Bay Municipal Utility District – Water Conservation
Studio 3, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Head to Studio 3 to discover different ways to conserve water no matter the current drought conditions!
Mutual Air
Observation Deck, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
What’s that sound? An Oakland-wide Art Installation to make visible the ubiquitous yet invisible public commons: the air. Mutual Air is a network of bells that reflect the composition of our air. Thirty chimes work together in Oakland, and across the Bay, to provide a detailed picture of real-time pollutant concentrations; Mutual Air is a series of sensor-activated chimes that sonify carbon fluctuations.
Mutual Air is a project by Rosten Woo and the Exploratorium with key partnerships and cooperation from the Oakland Museum of California, Chabot Space and Science Center, City of Oakland Public Art Program and Cultural Affairs Division, and the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project.
