NOTE: Two excellent science lectures in Syracuse on October 11th! You cannot go wrong with Space and Dinosaurs.
Thursday, 11 October 2018, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Milton J Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology – Syracuse, NY
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Considered from a variety of perspectives, the Late Triassic, spanning the final 36 million years of the Triassic Period (237 to 201 million years ago), is the most interesting and perhaps, the most important interval of the last half-billion years. The face of the Earth was changing dramatically as the supercontinent Pangaea started to come undone with the continental breakup triggering massive volcanic eruptions that caused dramatic environmental changes. Reptiles were the dominant vertebrate animals of this world, ruling the ocean, land and skies. A burst of evolutionary innovations led to the appearance of the flying reptiles, the pterosaurs, as well as the first turtles, the earliest ancestors of crocodiles, the first dinosaurs and not inconsequentially, the first mammals. Dinosaurs were initially small animals, although they were active and agile creatures, and were only minor players on the landscape at the start of the Late Triassic. However, the loss of many of the competing reptile families by the close of the Triassic set the stage for dinosaur diversification and domination. LeMoyne College professor Lawrence Tanner will join the MOST on Thursday, October 11th, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM to discuss the rise of dinosaurs. Note that the MOST will once again be hosting Dinomania at the same time, the traveling exhibit of animatronic dinosaurs!
Those interested in learning more about dinosaurs are invited to attend this Sweet Science at the MOST presentation in the Space Gallery meeting room at the Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) in Syracuse’s Armory Square. Admission is free and open to the public. Light snacks will be served at 5:30 pm. Walk-ins are welcome, but TACNY asks that people RSVP by registering here.
Presenters
Lawrence Tanner is the Joseph C. Georg Endowed Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Le Moyne College where he teaches and conducts research in geology and environmental science. Much of Dr. Tanner’s research career has been devoted to the interpretation of ancient environments and climate from the study of sedimentary rocks, with specific focus on the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic world. He has extensive experience in using fossil soils for the interpretation of ancient climates, including the study of the chemical composition of soil minerals. His research has included field studies in the American Southwest, the Canadian Maritimes, Egypt, Italy, Iceland and Costa Rica and has resulted in over 100 journal articles, book chapters and edited volumes. Dr. Tanner’s current research with students focuses on the carbon cycle, specifically, the rates of exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, biosphere and geosphere in modern soils and forests in tropical and near-Arctic environments, as well as in laboratory settings.
TACNY John Edson Sweet Lecture Series
TACNY John Edson Sweet Lectures, a program founded in 1913, is now called the Sweet Science Series and features discussions about topics in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an informal atmosphere for adults of all levels of technical understanding. A minimum of six free and open to the public presentations are held each year.
About The MOST
The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) is a hands-on science and technology museum for all ages. The MOST hosts numerous STEM education programs and community outreach events annually and is home to 35,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, Silverman Planetarium, and Bristol IMAX® Omnitheater – the only domed IMAX theater in New York State. The MOST’s vision is to be a preeminent science and technology center, inspiring all generations through hands-on education and entertainment.
Technology Alliance of Central New York
Founded in 1903 as the Technology Club of Syracuse, the nonprofit Technology Alliance of Central New York’s mission is to facilitate community awareness, appreciation, and education of technology; and to collaborate with like-minded organizations across Central New York.
For more information about TACNY, visit www.tacny.org.
