On
the second Wednesday of each month, during some academic years, the
Wright Center hosts talks on current science and technology topics.
Open Night at the Wright Center is held from 7:30 to 9 pm in the Auditorium
of the Tufts' Science & Technology Center. These talks are free,
minimally technical, and appeal to the general public. Pre-college teachers
will find them especially helpful. The speakers are leading scientists
and engineers, mostly from the faculty of Tufts University. Following
each talk, master science and mathematics teachers lead a brief panel
discussion. Light refreshments are served. Past speakers and
their topics have been:
- November-- Walter Rodriguez, Berger Professor of Civil Engineering "Toys, Games, and Playgrounds"
- December-- Sheldon Krimsky, Professor of Urban & Environmental Policy "Social Limits to Scientific Inquiry"
- January-- George Smith, Chair and Professor of Philosophy Department Vibration Specialist, NR&R Corp. "Why Do Materials Suffer Fatigue"
- February-- Mary Ella Feinleib, Professor of Biology "How Microbes Navigate"
- March-- Mary Jane Shultz, Professor of Chemistry "Revealing the Process: Stealing from Cutting Edge Research to Teach Fundamental Concepts in Chemistry"
- April-- Adriaan Walther, Professor of Physics (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) "The Optics of Spheres: Microscopes, Rainbows, and Other Applications"
- May-- June Aprille, Pearson Professor of Natural Science and Professor of Biology "The Power of Life: Life is an Uphill Battle in a Downhill Universe--Where does the energy come from that makes life possible?"