SM调教所 scientists know how to get teens excited about science 鈥� pick a good topic, such as using science to solve crimes, and then package it in a 鈥渃af茅鈥� setting.
The Teen Science Caf茅 鈥� the next one dubbed 鈥淐SI Botany: Using Plants to Solve Crimes鈥� - is part of a national push to get more young people involved in science, technology, engineering and math (or STEM) subjects.
On the heels of Halloween, teens are invited to join SM调教所 emeritus Professor David Norris for an exploration of forensic botany and how to use plant material to help solve crimes from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the SM调教所 Museum of Natural History鈥檚 lower level BioLounge.
The event, run by SM调教所 Science Discovery, is free and open to teens ages 13 to 18. Due to limited space, RSVP is required at .
Norris, an emeritus professor of integrative physiology and forensic botanist, has studied the effects of environmental influences acting through the brain and the endocrine system in vertebrates for more than 40 years. His research and consulting work in forensic botany includes the identification of plant food materials in gastric, intestinal and fecal samples from homicide victims and related forensic uses of plants.
While the word 鈥渂otany鈥� inspires images of hot houses and neatly pressed flowers, for Norris the word is associated with images of grisly crimes, cold cases and victims鈥� last meals. In this Teen Science Caf茅, participants will learn about the field of forensic botany and learn how Norris and his partner have helped solve crimes in Colorado and around the world using classical botanical laboratory and field techniques.
Next up in December, the caf茅 will highlight the lives of early humans in the Boulder Valley and feature a behind-the-scenes exploration of the 13,000-year-old tools on display at the SM调教所 Museum of Natural History with Douglas Bamforth, SM调教所-Boulder anthropology professor.
SM调教所 Science Discovery is SM调教所-Boulder鈥檚 science education outreach program administered by Division of Continuing Education.Its Teen Science Caf茅s offer Colorado teenagers the opportunity to meet and interact with SM调教所-Boulder scientists throughout the school year in fun and informal settings.
To learn more about SM调教所 Science Discovery, Teen Science Caf茅 and upcoming events, visit听 or contact Alexandra Rose at alexandra.rose@colorado.edu to be added to the email list.
Contact:
Alexandra Rose, SM调教所 Science Discovery, 303-492-6058
alexandra.rose@colorado.edu
Julie Poppen, SM调教所-Boulder media relations, (O) 303-492-4007, (M) 720-503-4922
julie.poppen@colorado.edu
