The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts Science and Arts Café lecture series will feature topics ranging from time travel to the American art in 1950s to 1970s to Mayan culture among others.
This year, the series returns to a live, in-person event in the Creativity and Innovation Complex as well as being broadcast on the school’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ARMathSciArts. Last year’s series was conducted virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The series is sponsored by Mid-America Science Museum.
This year’s series will be held at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month in October, November and December 2021 and February, March and April 2022. Each lecture will last about a half-hour followed by an informal question-and-answer session.
This dates and speakers for this year’s series include:
October 5, 2021 — Time Travel: Science and Fiction
Visit the far future. Change a tragic past. Science fiction has explored the theme of time travel for two hundred years. In the past century, physics has caught up. What drives us to create and enjoy depictions of time travel? And what does science say we can achieve? The lecture and discussion will be led by Dr. Jack Waddell, a physics instructor at ASMSA.
November 2, 2021 — Climate Change: Problems and Solutions
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released its newest report on the state of the global climate, possible climate futures, and suggestions for limiting future climate change. ASMSA biology instructor Dr. Allyn Dodd will share key takeaways from the report and explain the mechanisms of natural as well as human-accelerated climate change, the ecological ramifications of our changing world, and potential solutions on the horizon.
December 7, 2021 — Abstract Expressionism to Minimalism: 1950-1970 American Art
Explore the artists from two of the most energetic and volatile decades in art history. From Pollock to Judd, ASMSA art instructor Brad Wreyford will cover the seminal works of the artists and highlight the changing cultural and commercial dynamics of the art world during the period.
February 1, 2022 — The Good Men of Les Misérables
The wildly popular Les Misérables has long been something of a rite of passage for those entering the world of popular musical theater. From the sympathetic criminal Jean Valjean to the indomitable lawman Javert, the production asks us to consider what makes a man a good man? Finding the answer to this complicated question may actually lie in understanding the changing ideals of the Enlightenment and its role in the revolutions and rebellions in France that make up the backdrop of the musical. The struggle between traditionalists and modernists plays out as Valjean fights to make Javert understand that reason and rationality do not have to be devoid of empathy. ASMSA humanities instructor Dr. Mary Leigh will lead the session and discussion.
March 1, 2022 — Interpreting Data and Simpson’s Paradox
Since March 2020, we have been bombarded with statistics regarding covid-19 in the news, social media, and everyday conversations. Are those statistics always as they seem? A statistician must analyze the data using the right view to interpret the meaning of collected data. Tracy Watson, an ASMSA mathematics instructor, will explore Simpson's Paradox where trends for aggregated data are different from when you look at the data in subgroups.
April 5, 2022 — Maya Culture
Two thousand years ago, the ancient Maya developed one of the most advanced civilizations in the Americas. They had a highly advanced numeral system; their mathematics were far ahead of Europe for many centuries; they had a complex calendar; they were skilled architects who created structures with great precision; and there are many words in our modern languages that come directly from the Maya. ASMSA Spanish instructor Fernanda Espinosa will lead the exploration of this fascinating ancient civilization and their lasting impact.