welcome
Welcome to Nerd Nite Los Angeles!
We all know that learning is more fun when you’re drinking with friends and colleagues. Thus, Nerd Nite is a monthly event held in more than 100 cities across the globe during which several folks give 20-minute fun-yet-informative presentations across all disciplines – while the audience drinks along. It’s like TED Talks…but with beer.
We want YOU to give a presentation at Nerd Nite! Anyone interested in sharing their research, passion, or obsession, email la@nerdnite.com with your pitch!
Upcoming events:
Nerd Nite on May 9th at Busby’s East — GET TICKETS HERE.
Informal, insightful, and accessible lectures at a bar.
MAY’S NERD NITE PRESENTATION TOPICS
PRESENTATION #1: The Birth of the Science Communicator
by Dave Farina
Summary: The 20th century brought about profound advancements in every single scientific field, and the 21st shows no signs of slowing down. To put it simply, we know a shit-ton of science, far too much for anyone to know it all. Hence, the birth of the science communicator. In the digital age, misinformation is rampant, and scicomm is a nascent field dedicated to presenting the work of the scientific community to the public, in creative ways that make it intelligible and digestible to us all.
Bio: Dave Farina received a BA in chemistry and an MA in science education only to realize that he wanted to be neither a scientist nor a teacher. So naturally, he became a YouTube personality. His channel, “Professor Dave Explains”, presents curriculum-aligned tutorials in a wide variety of scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, mathematics, and more.
PRESENTATION #2: I just released an indie arcade game, here’s what development was like.
by Wyatt Bushnell
Summary: The out-of-home entertainment industry is in a state of incredible growth, with entertainment centers occupying vast amounts of dead retail spaces left in the wake of online shopping. But, unlike digital games, indie developers are not flocking to the space. Here’s how I took a concept to completion. What challenges there are, what things to keep in mind in development, and how it differs from digital gaming.
Bio: Wyatt Bushnell is an attraction developer based in Los Angeles, California. Wyatt builds games and attractions in the out-of-home entertainment sector; think arcades, amusement parks, and museums. Wyatt’s done work as an out of home entertainment consultant in the Middle East and North Africa, and domestically, worked with brands like Dave and Buster’s, SkyZone Trampoline Parks, Great Wolf Lodge, and Merlin Entertainment. Wyatt recently released a new arcade game, King of the Road, that’s live at Two Bit Circus.
PRESENTATION #3: Wild LA Fieldwork Fails
by Lila Higgins and Greg Pauly
Summary: Join authors Lila Higgins and Dr. Greg Pauly as they recount some of their most epic fieldwork fails while writing their newly-released book, “Wild LA: Explore the Amazing Nature in and around Los Angeles.” From broken legs and car crashes to near misses with giant pine cones and the rash-inducing poodle dog bush. Find out what it is really like to study nature in Los Angeles, through the ever-so-glamorous stories of these Los Angeles science writers.
Bios:
Lila Higgins grew up on a farm in the United Kingdom, where she had lots of time for unstructured play in the wild. Her love for nature, especially insects, grew out of this time and led her to study entomology and environmental education. Her work focuses on connecting people to nature, particularly in urban settings. Currently she oversees NHM’s community science program and loves getting people involved in studying the plants, animals, and fungi that live in Los Angeles.
Dr. Gregory B. Pauly is curator of herpetology and co-director of the Urban Nature Research Center at NHM. His research since joining the museum in 2012 has focused on the impacts of urbanization on wildlife. He is an advocate for community science and believes partnerships between professional scientists and community members can revolutionize scientific research. His fieldwork has involved studying frogs in tropical rainforests, lizards in the Mojave Desert, and introduced geckos across Southern California neighborhoods.
Nerd Nite takes place at:
Busby’s East
5364 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Busby’s East is a 21+ venue.
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