A Frontiers in Science Lecture by Elisabetta Matsumoto

The 2016 confirmation of Einstein's prediction of gravitational waves put the spotlight back on the importance of curvature for the physics of the universe.

The ability of mass to curve space has fueled the imagination of many, but this is by far not the only instance of warped spaces being important for physics: The materials science of the very small scale -- the science of nanostructures and nanoengineering -- is one of them.

Often these small spaces are very strongly curved, far from what mathematicians call "Euclidean." For example, two parallel lines may no longer only meet at infinity. These bizarre and exotic spaces have very unusual properties.

Until recently, many of these complex spaces defied most people's imagination, but Virtual Reality technology is helping us immerse in them.

Elisabetta Matsumoto will take us on a tour -- enabled by the latest in virtual-reality technology -- into the innate beauty and mystery of some spaces, such as the cross between a Euclidean straight line and Poincare's hyperbolic plane, which was made popular by Escher's artwork.

Real-world applications or technological uses of these mathematical insights may seem to be light-years off, but don't worry, the real world will catch up with the imagination faster than we think.

Lecture begins at 6:30 PM. Stay after the talk for a virtual-reality demo at 7:30 PM!

About The Speaker
Elisabetta Matsumoto has been on a stellar career trajectory through some of the world’s finest physics departments, including Princeton and Harvard University, but she is not your typical physics geek.

Her love of space and geometry has let her understand the complex structures of liquid crystals in unprecedented ways and predict the spontaneous formation of structures that spontaneously nano-engineer themselves from simple molecules. It has also led her to explore some of nature’s most intricate geometries for 3D printed jewelry and symmetry principles for knitted designs and fashion.

Matsumoto holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania. She is building her soft matter research group at Georgia Tech.

She has won several awards, including the Glenn Brown Prize by the International Society for Liquid Crystals. 

About The Frontiers in Science Lecture Series
Lectures in this series are intended to inform, engage, and inspire students, faculty, staff, and the public on developments, breakthroughs, and topics of general interest in the sciences and mathematics. Lecturers tailor their talks for nonexpert audiences.

The College of Sciences joins the rest of Georgia Tech in Ramble In, a first-day-of-class fun event organized by Omicron Delta Kappa.

Faculty, students, and staff are invited to join for King of Pops, games, and giveaways! Simply wear a name tag and introduce yourself to other people who are also wearing the name tag!

The goal is to ease the first day of classes for everyone and meet ew people. More in information is here: http://odk.gatech.edu/ramblein/

Student groups and Georgia Tech units will be around Tech Green from 9 AM to 3 PM to give out name tags. The College of Sciences will be at Skiles Walkway at 12:15-1:20 PM.

We will have a spin-a-wheel set up to give away fabulous swag, compliments of ScienceMatters - Because wherever we turn in the physical world, science matters. 

Prizes include include beaker mugs, exclusive ScienceMatters pens, water bottles, science rock CDs, T-shirts, and more!

Astronaut Lawrence DeLucas will reminisce his training to be a NASA astronaut and share his experiences flying on the Columbia Space Shuttle Mission STS-50, launched on June 25, 1992. He will descibe the materials, technology, and research performed in that mission and summarize the research underway on the International Space Station. He will discuss NASA's plans for a human-piloted mission to Mars.

Lawrence DeLucas' talk is part of "An Evening of Wonder: Life and Art on Earth and Beyond." This astrobiology fun-and-learning event for the whole family is made possible by the organizers of AbGradCon 2018.

AbGradCon (Astrobiology Graduate Conference) is a popular gathering of early-career scientists interested in astrobiology research, held in a different location every year. 

Astrobiology for the Family, brought to you by AbGradCon 2018

Is life in other planets possible?

Come to the Ferst Center in Georgia Tech and find out what young scientists have to say about the possibility of life in other planets.

Explore the wonders of life on our planet and outer space in a place where science and art meet. 

Marvel at the light- and computer-generated simulations of environments outside Earth, such as that of Mars! 

Interact with robots.

Talk to a real astronaut!

Join the organizers and participants of AbGradCon 2018 to have fun and learn about astrobiology. 

SCHEDULE

5:30-7.00 pm. Food and Exploration. Ferst Center Atrium.

Walk through demonstration stations to explore questions such as: How diverse is life on Earth? How might life look outside Earth? How do we search for life? What makes you wonder? Food for purchase will be available from food trucks.

7-7.30 pm. The Golden Record Performance, a Performance. Ferst Center Outdoor Amphitheater

This movement-based performance is inspired by the contents of The Golden Record, a 12-inch gold-plated copper disk containing sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth. The disk was carried by the space probes Voyager 1 and 2, when they blasted off for interstellar space in 1977. The Golden Record is a time capsule, intended to communicate a story of our world to extraterrestrials. The contents were selected by a NASA committee chaired by Carl Sagan

We will imagine through modern dance, aerial arts, live music, and projected images, how humanity might look through the eyes of the life forms that may one day encounter Voyager 1 or 2  and The Golden Record.

7.30-8 PM  In Space, Within the Stars: A Conversation with an Astronaut. Ferst Center Outdoor Ampitheater

Directions and Parking: http://arts.gatech.edu/directions-and-parking-0

Public nights at the Georgia Tech Observatory have resumed for the spring semester.  The observatory will be open one Thursday each month for people to observe various celestial bodies.

The viewing on April 26 includes a 30-minute talk with Deborah Ferguson at 9:00 pm. Topic:The Structure of the Milky Way

Public nights are contingent on clear weather.

Potential closures and driving directions are on the official website.

Go here for the full schedule.

ALL ARE WELCOME.

We invite high school students (and their guests) who are interested in learning about undergraduate degree programs in the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech to attend the open house “It’s All About Science and Math.” Visitors will learn about opportunities in the degree programs listed below, receive information about admission requirements and financial aid, attend a class, and tour scientific facilities/labs and parts of campus. This program is free to visitors and guests.

Due to limited space, participants are encouraged to sign up early. To schedule a class or group visit, please contact Dr. Cameron Tyson.

Degree programs:  Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics, and Psychology.

REGISTER TO VISIT (click on link and select "It's All About Science and Math")

General Itinerary

10:00 - Introduction to Opportunities in Science and Math at Georgia Tech 

11:15 - Attend a science or math class with a student host and meet a professor. Classes/groups will visit a research lab during this time, and learn some science!

12:05 – Visitors will be provided lunch and can chat with College of Sciences faculty, students and advisors.

Optional activities: After lunch, individual prospective students and guests are encouraged to attend a freshmen admission information session and campus tour if they are visiting the campus for the first time. Be sure to sign up for the 1:15pm general session and campus tour when you register for It's All About Science and Math. 

1:15 – Freshmen admission information session, Student Success Building, Clary Theater

2:15 - Campus tour, departs from Student Success Building

3:30 - Meet a financial aid advisor (walk-ins accepted), Student Success Building, 3rd Floor

Welcome to SMALLab, the coolest classroom you’ve ever seen! Like a room-sized iPad, this unique interactive learning environment is equipped with augmented-reality technology to enable you to explore scientific concepts as you move and interact with projected images.

Brought to Georgia Tech by SMALLab Learning (www.smallablearning.com) and the Georgia Tech members of LIGO (Laser Interferometry Gravitational-Wave Observatory), this augmented-reality classroom offers a kinesthetic approach to learning about gravitational waves, astrophysics, and more.

The augmented-reality classroom is based on peer-reviewed research showing that comprehension and retention are enhanced by movement, a concept known as embodied learning, which SMALLab taps into through motion-capture technology. SMALLab Learning’s development work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, Intel Research, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Bringing SMALLab to Georgia Tech is the brainchild of Karelle Siellez, a postdoctoral researcher in the Center for Relativistic Astrophysics. Funding was provided by the Georgia Tech Parents Fund for Student Life and Leadership and the Georgia Tech Office of the Arts.

WORKSHOP: Create your own content

April 17, 9 AM-5 PM & April 18, 2-5 PM

Using SMALLab's technology, create your own learning games.

Registration is required. Contact sky@physics.gatech.edu to register.

MOVE, LEARN, PLAY in SMALLab

Experience the coolest classroom ever! Learn about astrophysics, gravitational waves, and more by using your mind AND body.

Free and no registration required. Come alone or with friends and have fun with this new way of learning science! 

April 19-20, 9 AM-5 PM For Georgia Tech students, staff, and faculty only

April 21, 9 AM-5 PM Open to the public 

We invite high school students (and their guests) who are interested in learning about undergraduate degree programs in the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech to attend the open house “It’s All About Science and Math.” Visitors will learn about opportunities in the degree programs listed below, receive information about admission requirements and financial aid, attend a class, and tour scientific facilities/labs and parts of campus. This program is free to visitors and guests.

Due to limited space, participants are encouraged to sign up early. To schedule a class or group visit, please contact Dr. Cameron Tyson.

Degree programs:  Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics, and Psychology.

REGISTER TO VISIT (click on link and select "It's All About Science and Math")

General Itinerary

10:00 - Introduction to Opportunities in Science and Math at Georgia Tech 

11:15 - Attend a science or math class with a student host and meet a professor. Classes/groups will visit a research lab during this time, and learn some science!

12:05 – Visitors will be provided lunch and can chat with College of Sciences faculty, students and advisors.

Optional activities: After lunch, individual prospective students and guests are encouraged to attend a freshmen admission information session and campus tour if they are visiting the campus for the first time. Be sure to sign up for the 1:15pm general session and campus tour when you register for It's All About Science and Math. 

1:15 – Freshmen admission information session, Student Success Building, Clary Theater

2:15 - Campus tour, departs from Student Success Building

3:30 - Meet a financial aid advisor (walk-ins accepted), Student Success Building, 3rd Floor

12-12:30pm: Transgender Students and Employees Share their Stories 
11am-2pm: Drop in to view the exhibit and vigil 

Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual global commemoration of transgender people who have lost their lives to violence in the past year. Everyone is invited to join in honoring their lives and learning how we can support trans people in our community.

This year, transgender Georgia Tech students and employees will share their stories of where they have found hope and resilience, in themselves and in their families, friendships, relationships, and communities. All members of the Georgia Tech community are invited to come hear these powerful and important stories at 12:00-12:30pm. 

Our storytellers will begin at noon. This brave group of students and employees will each spend a few minutes telling their stories. This portion of the event will last for about 30 minutes. Those who can't make it for the stories are strongly encouraged to visit the room during the open drop-in hours between 11am and 2pm to view the Trans Day of Remembrance exhibit and view the vigil honoring the trans lives we have lost this year. Attendees will also receive information about trans-inclusive resources and will be given a chance to write messages of support for the trans community.

We will have handouts and information on how we can practice allyship to the transgender community on campus and off, sign-ups for our spring Trans 101 trainings, and opportunities to discuss and reflect on what you have learned.

No need to RSVP - just show up for as long as you want. The room will be open for three hours total. 

Registration is no longer available because the registration capacity has been exceeded.

We invite high school students (and their guests) who are interested in learning about undergraduate degree programs in the College of Sciences at Georgia Tech to attend the open house “It’s All About Science and Math.” Visitors will learn about opportunities in the degree programs listed below, receive information about admission requirements and financial aid, attend a class, and tour scientific facilities/labs and parts of campus. This program is free to visitors and guests.

Due to limited space, participants are encouraged to sign up early. To schedule a class or group visit, please contact Dr. Cameron Tyson.

Degree programs:  Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics, and Psychology.

REGISTER TO VISIT (click on link and select "It's All About Science and Math")

General Itinerary

10:00 - Introduction to Opportunities in Science and Math at Georgia Tech 

11:15 - Attend a science or math class with a student host and meet a professor. Classes/groups will visit a research lab during this time, and learn some science!

12:05 – Visitors will be provided lunch and can chat with College of Sciences faculty, students and advisors.

Optional activities: After lunch, individual prospective students and guests are encouraged to attend a freshmen admission information session and campus tour if they are visiting the campus for the first time. Be sure to sign up for the 1:15pm general session and campus tour when you register for It's All About Science and Math. 

1:15 – Freshmen admission information session, Student Success Building, Clary Theater

2:15 - Campus tour, departs from Student Success Building

3:30 - Meet a financial aid advisor (walk-ins accepted), Student Success Building, 3rd Floor