Video of Programs (search and sort)

Experiencing the Universe
11/02/2025
Todd Duncan

 

Observing the night sky and pondering the vastness of the universe can be both inspiring and humbling. Todd Duncan combines visual highlights from human space exploration with ways to experience ourselves as part of the universe. Dr. Duncan teaches physics and astronomy at Pacific University, and "science integration" – distilling key insights from science down to their conceptual essence, a form that helps inform our worldviews. He has degrees from the University of Illinois, Cambridge, and University of Chicago, and co-authored the college textbook, "Your Cosmic Context: An Introduction to Modern Cosmology."

 

Ross Island: Forest Park on the Willamette
10/26/2025
Mike Houck

 

Ross Island sits mid-Willamette River just south of downtown Portland, and has a history of being built up and exploited by men, but today it is ruled primarily by nature. Speaker Mike Houck, Director of the Urban Greenspaces Institute, will present his vision of how it can serve as one. Mr. Houck has been a leader in urban nature issues since 1980 when he founded the Urban Naturalist Program at the Audubon Society of Portland. He has co-founded Coalition for a Livable Future (CLF); The national Coalition to Restore Urban Waters (CRUW); The Intertwine Alliance; and The Nature of Cities forum.

 

Lightning: Facts & Safety
10/12/2025
Steven Clark

 

Speaker Steven Clark covers basic facts and safety tips about lightning, and specifically lightning in the Pacific Northwest. Mr. Clark is a forensic meteorologist and has been for over 30 years. He is also the President of the Lightning Data Center, a lightning discussion group based in Denver, Colorado.

 

Relevant and Relatable Economics
10/05/2025
Jadrian Wooten

 

From unseen consequences of policy decisions to why incentives often backfire, Jadrian Wooten explores some powerful but often overlooked economic principles. Learn why economists obsess over trade-offs, how markets shape behavior in surprising ways, and what all this means for big issues like tariffs, automation, and inequality. Real-world examples and interaction will make economic thinking more accessible and useful. In addition to teaching economics at Virginia Tech, Professor Wooten writes weekly as The Monday Morning Economist and regularly speaks on topics ranging from economic literacy to the future of work.

 

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