Category Archives: Events

Innovation Institute: Two Webinars on Viruses and COVID-19, Apr. 14 & 15

The Innovation Institute (Ti2) will present two interactive webinars, free and open to the public, to help students understand the science of viruses and COVID-19 specifically. Registration is required to get the online links to these webinars. Parental discretion is advised. Presenters will be Alex Mitchell (MS, Ti2 Instructor) and Robert Kauffman (MD, PhD, Ti2 Senior Scientist in Residence).

  • Ages 9-11: COVID-19: A Science Discussion for Students, April 14, 5PM. Understand the science of viruses, what makes COVID-19 “novel,” and how evolving scientific understanding of the virus helps to inform public health responses. Register here.
  • Ages 12+: COVID-19: A Science Discussion for Students, April 15, 5PM. Understand the science of viruses and COVID-19, specifically. Register here.

Ti2 is a non-profit, lab-immersive STEM learning organization for ages 5-17 during the academic year and summer. It offers learning labs in molecular biology, genomics, chemistry, neuroscience, chemistry, computer engineering and more. Its Investigate, Discover & Design series for ages 5-9 often has waitlists.

Neo.Life: Online Conversation About Engineering Biology, Apr. 9

On April 9, 7-9PM, Manifest Boston will live-stream a conversation about engineering biology, highlighting a new book, Neo.Life: 25 Visions for the Future of Our Species. Register here. The conversation will be in Long Conversation format (“a daisy chain of timed but spontaneous 2-person dialogues with no slides and no moderator”) featuring:

  • Christina Agapakis — Synthetic biologist, artist, creative director at Ginkgo Bioworks
  • Siranush Babakhanova — Transhumanist, founder of the MIT student group Xapiens
  • Brian Bergstein — Deputy opinion editor, Boston Globe and coeditor of Neo.Life
  • George Church — Harvard professor of health sciences and technology
  • Juan Enriquez — Futurist, author, managing director of Excel Venture Management
  • Steve Ramirez — Neuroscientist, professor at Boston University
  • Jason Kelly —  President of Ginkgo Bioworks
  • Jen Reddy — Wired Ventures Co-Founder; NEO.LIFE Founder and CEO

Register for Boston College Splash!, Mar. 29

Boston College will hold BC Splash on Sunday, March 29, 10AM-4PM.  Splash is a one-day, student-run program in which undergraduates and graduate students teach mini-courses for students in Grades 7-12. There’s also an optional Parent Program for learning about Boston College, student life, and admissions.  Registration is required, is first-come/first-served, and is open until March 27. There’s a $5 fee for the day, which includes a pizza lunch. Registrants will receive an online link for payment one week before the event. For more information, email bcsplash@gmail.com or call at 617-297-7524. STEM-related classes in the course catalog include:

  • Poker Master: Introduction to Probability Theory
  • The Art of Integration
  • Jumping Genes: Mechanism and Implications
  • Paper Chromatography of Inks: A Forensic Investigation
  • Introduction to Genetics
  • Straws and Turtles: Our Global Plastic Pollution Problem
  • Just the Basics: Intro to Acid/Base Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry in 50 Minutes