The St. Louis Science Center’s SciFest 09 brings together world-renowned scientists and experts – including those from Washington University – to help participants see science in a new way.
There are hundreds of science experiences, including presentations and hands-on exhibits. Presentations by Washington University faculty are listed below.
Tickets are available by phone, 314-289-4424, and at the St. Louis Science Center. A single ticket for a day session is $6; a single ticket for an evening session is $10. An all-day pass is $20 ($10 for members).
You can also purchase tickets and find more information about the International Science Festival St. Louis and a full schedule of events at scifeststl.org.
Bionic You Saturday, October 10 noon – 1 pm
What really happens when you have your hip replaced? How are artificial joints made? How is the surgery performed? Your questions will be answered by doctors and nurses from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. This session features an exhibit, demonstration and discussion with video footage of the surgery and interviews with surgeons and patients.
Moderator – Al Wiman, Vice President, Public Understanding of Science, Saint Louis Science Center
The Science of Baseball Saturday, October 10 2 pm – 3 pm
Want to be sure you choose the best bat, catch a fly ball or strike out that left-handed player? Then you need to take a scientific approach to baseball. Cardinals fan, David Peters, who is also Professor of Engineering, Washington University, takes on America’s favorite pastime from ball speed and trajectory to the psychology of guessing what the opposition is going to do next. Video footage courtesy of KSDK NewsChannel 5.
Moderator – Rene Knott, Sports Director, KSDK
Operating on Well Folks? Saturday, October 10 4 pm – 5 pm
Genetic diagnosis is one of many fantastic advances in medical science that give us the power to predict future diseases but raise serious ethical problems. Ira Kodner, MD, Director of the Center for the Study of Ethics & Human Values, Washington University, addresses important questions such as: “Should everyone be tested?” and “Should there be limits on using genetic information?”
Moderator – Al Wiman, Vice President, Public Understanding of Science, Saint Louis Science Center
The Healing Power of Puppy Love Sunday, October 11 11 am – noon
Can a dog be the best medicine? Meet – and pet – talented pooches that assist patients recovering from serious illnesses. Dr. Allison King, Pediatric Hematologist and Oncologist, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, presents studies showing dramatic improvement in children with brain injuries and cancer when dogs are involved in their treatment. Bill Dahlkamp of Support Dogs, Inc. discusses the training for the dogs and their owners who volunteer for the program.
Moderator – Matt Chambers, KMOV-TV Meteorologist, Host of “Great Day St. Louis”
Pandemic Sunday, October 11 1 pm – 2 pm
What’s the real story on swine flu? What should we all be doing to prevent the spread of infection? Why are certain diseases more contagious than others? Find out what goes on behind the scenes of an epidemic from Steven Lawrence, MD, Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, and Gregg Evans, PhD, Director, Institute for Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness, Saint Louis University.
Moderator – Stephen S. Lefrak, MD, Professor of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine
Can Brain Imaging Read Your Mind?
Sunday, October 11 3 pm – 4 pm
Use your head and come to this session to find out what you’ve got going on upstairs. When it comes to your brain, there’s a lot of gray matter to look into. Linda Larson-Prior, PhD, Head of the Electrical and Optical Imaging Lab at Washington University’s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, uses functional imaging data to delve into the network activity of the human brain.
Moderator – Robert Duffy, Associate Editor, The Saint Louis Beacon