On Feb. 26, the UNL Libraries started a new talk series, "Sci Pop Talks! Where Science Intersects Pop Culture." These talks, held every Wednesday night in Love Library's Mezzanine Study Room (201), explore the science within some of our favorite icons of popular culture. The free talks will be given by science faculty from UNL and Doane College and are open to the public.
Some of the talks include: "Chemistry to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse," "Game Theory and Breaking Bad," and "Book 8: Harry Potter and the Magic of Science." An online guide has been set up with reading lists to go with each talk along with the full-schedule at: http://unl.libguides.com/scipoptalks
"The faculty members and I that planned this talk series think it will be very popular because topics like zombies and vampires have gained in popularity over the last few years," said Joan Barnes, UNL Libraries Community Engagement Librarian.
Popular TV shows like, "The Walking Dead," have increased the interest in zombies while the last Harry Potter book sold 8.3 million copies during the first 24 hours in America alone. The finale of Breaking Bad was viewed by 10.3 million people.
Barnes and her student assistant will be live-tweeting the talks on the UNL Libraries account with the hashtag: #SciPopTalks.
The complete schedule of talks in the Sci Pop Talks! Where Science Intersect Pop Culture is:
Feb 26 The Story of Chocolate: Nutrition & Sensory Qualities - Prof. Marilynn Schnepf, UNL
Mar 5 Chemistry to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse- Dr. Raychelle Burks, Doane College
Mar 12 Alien Biochemistry in the Movies - Prof. Mark Griep, UNL
Mar 19 Making 'Inception' Real - Prof. Ramesh Laungani, Doane College
April 2 Discovering the Hidden Truth: Forensics - Prof. Ashley Hall, UNL
April 9 Book 8: Harry Potter and the Magic of Science - Prof. Rebecca Y Lai, UNL
April 16 Game Theory and Breaking Bad - Prof. Kristopher Williams, Doane College
April 23 Interview with the Vampire - Decoded by Scientists - Prof. Rebecca Y Lai, UNL
Where: Love Library, Mezzanine Study Room (201 LS), 13 & R Streets, UNL City Campus
When: 7 p.m., Wednesday nights
Sponsored by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries, UNL Chemistry Department and Doane College
Contacts: Joan Barnes, UNL Libraries, Community Engagement Librarian, jbarnes3@unl.edu or 402-472-6987. Kiyomi Deards, UNL Libraries, Science Librarian, kdreards2@unl.edu or 402-472-2554.