Bugs, Biofuels and Biology - a Plant Extravaganza!
Plant & Microbial Biology will be involved in Cal Day in a big way this Saturday, April 21, as part of the College of Natural Resources events out on the Genetics and Plant Biology Lawn.In conjunction with the Energy Biosciences Institute we're putting on "Bugs, Biofuels and Biology: A Plant Extravaganza!"
Professor Steve Lindow will present his "Ice Nucleation Magic Show", the CNR Biological Imaging Facility will put on "The Amazing Microscopic Carnival" and the Micro Student Group will let visitors get close and personal with microbes. In addition, there will be scavenger hunts, a Bug Doctor, hands-on biofuels demonstrations and much more.
See below for the complete program.
Programs for New and Prospective Students
Information Marketplace
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sproul Plaza
Featuring College of Natural Resources Staff
Located in Dwinelle Plaza, near Sather Gate and Wheeler Hall, the marketplace is a central area featuring displays and information. Stop by the College of Natural Resources tables to pick up information about the College and have your questions answered.
Life as a College of Natural Resources Student
9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., 100 Genetics & Plant Biology Building
A panel of current students and recent graduates/alumni answer your questions about majors, research, student groups, student life, career opportunities, and the possibilities once you graduate!
Reception for New CNR Students
11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Genetics & Plant Biology LawnAll newly admitted College of Natural Resources (CNR) students and their families are invited to attend a special Cal Day reception to meet and socialize with other admitted students, current students, faculty, and staff. Light refreshments will be served.
Special Tour: Spotlight on the College of Natural Resources
1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Information Marketplace, leaves from Wheeler Hall steps
Join an exclusive tour of the small college home for natural and social science majors. College of Natural Resources is housed among historical buildings on the beautiful northwest side. The tour will begin at the College of Natural Resources tables in the Information Marketplace.
Bug Doctor Booth & Live Insect Displays
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wellman Hall -- Outside lawn
Featuring members of the Lewis Lab and the Urban Pest Management Center
The Bug Doctor is in and available to help identify your creepy crawlers and bug-riddled plants. Children who correctly identify their bugs win a small prize, so start your guessing early! And there’s more: live termites, insect displays, arts and crafts and close-up insect viewing through microscopes!
Featuring members of the Lewis Lab and the Urban Pest Management Center
The Bug Doctor is in and available to help identify your creepy crawlers and bug-riddled plants. Children who correctly identify their bugs win a small prize, so start your guessing early! And there’s more: live termites, insect displays, arts and crafts and close-up insect viewing through microscopes!
Ice Nucleation Magic Show
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Genetics & Plant Biology Lawn
Featuring Professor Steven Lindow
Renowned plant biologist Steven Lindow will offer a dramatic demonstration of the phenomenon of ice crystals that quickly form on plants, subjecting them to frost damage. Prof. Lindow will show ice nucleation bacteria and illustrate the fact that these bacteria are very common on the leaves of plants and cause frost damage, thereby harming crops. This phenomenon baffled scientists until Prof. Lindow’s discovery of this bacteria, which ultimately enabled the production of man-made snow. The demonstration will include a discussion of bacteria and plants.
Featuring Professor Steven Lindow
Renowned plant biologist Steven Lindow will offer a dramatic demonstration of the phenomenon of ice crystals that quickly form on plants, subjecting them to frost damage. Prof. Lindow will show ice nucleation bacteria and illustrate the fact that these bacteria are very common on the leaves of plants and cause frost damage, thereby harming crops. This phenomenon baffled scientists until Prof. Lindow’s discovery of this bacteria, which ultimately enabled the production of man-made snow. The demonstration will include a discussion of bacteria and plants.
From Grass to Gas:
How Scientists Turn Plants into Biofuel
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Genetics and Plant Biology Lawn
Presented by the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI)
UC Berkeley graduate students and postdocs will illustrate the cellulosic biofuel production process, from grinding the feedstocks, through deconstructing the cellulose into sugars, to fermenting the sugar-based solution into ethanol. Hands-on demonstrations will allow young visitors to play the role of scientist, complete with safety glasses, in the quest to find responsible energy alternatives to fossil fuels. EBI will be showcasing its work in finding an efficient, environmentally sound way to convert non-food plants into transportation fuels. The 10-year research partnership, funded by BP and featuring the expertise of UC Berkeley scientists, will launch its second five years this fall in a new building across the street from Koshland Hall. The EBI, which also includes Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of Illinois, is the broadest biofuel research center of its kind in the world.
Presented by the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI)
UC Berkeley graduate students and postdocs will illustrate the cellulosic biofuel production process, from grinding the feedstocks, through deconstructing the cellulose into sugars, to fermenting the sugar-based solution into ethanol. Hands-on demonstrations will allow young visitors to play the role of scientist, complete with safety glasses, in the quest to find responsible energy alternatives to fossil fuels. EBI will be showcasing its work in finding an efficient, environmentally sound way to convert non-food plants into transportation fuels. The 10-year research partnership, funded by BP and featuring the expertise of UC Berkeley scientists, will launch its second five years this fall in a new building across the street from Koshland Hall. The EBI, which also includes Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of Illinois, is the broadest biofuel research center of its kind in the world.
The Amazing Microscopic Carnival
12 p.m. to 3 p.m., 103 and 107 Genetics & Plant Biology Building
Presented by the CNR Biological Imaging Facility and Plant and Microbial Biology Department
Ever been curious about microbes? Come get up close and personal with nature’s most diverse and amazing organisms at our Microscopic Carnival of Microbial Wonders! See the amusing antics of the UC Berkeley water bears; make bacteria perform spectacular acrobatics using a simple magnet! Be thrilled by the paramecium feeding frenzy! Amaze your friends and family by growing your own microbes! Marvel at the myriad life forms in a single drop of pond water! Explore exciting research opportunities for undergrads at Berkeley, and much, much more!
The Ultimate GPS Scavenger Hunt
12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Mulford Hall east patio
Featuring Geospatial Imaging and Informatics
Facility staff
Using only satellite-linked global positioning system (GPS) units and clues, we’ll search for hidden prizes! Fun for the whole family-- bring your GPS unit if you have one.
The Campus Tree Trail:
Guided and Self-Guided Tours
Amazing natural beauty is part of what makes the Berkeley campus unique. Learn more with this tour of campus trees! For locations, photographs and descriptions of species, take a guided tour by members of the Cal Forestry Club or pick up a map and take a self-guided tour.
Tour Options:
Self Guided: 9am-4pm, pick up map at the Natural Resources table in the Information Marketplace or at
the Forestry Club table in front of Mulford Hall.
Guided Tours by the Cal Forestry Club: 12pm-1pm
and 2pm-3pm, meet in front of Mulford Hall at the Forestry Club table.
Forestry Club Centennial Celebration
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mulford Hall east patio
Celebrate 100 years of the Cal Forestry Club! We will have fun and interactive activities and host a traditional chili and cornbread “Bean Feed.” Check
out logging sports equipment, dress up like a Forester, bore into some wood yourself, or take a tour of UC Berkeley’s very own Forest Science Tree Trail!
Celebrate 100 years of the Cal Forestry Club! We will have fun and interactive activities and host a traditional chili and cornbread “Bean Feed.” Check
out logging sports equipment, dress up like a Forester, bore into some wood yourself, or take a tour of UC Berkeley’s very own Forest Science Tree Trail!