tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154546312009-06-11T19:08:10.191-04:00National Capital Area SkepticsPromoting critical thinking and scientific understanding.Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-92225125224836378222009-04-22T15:46:00.019-04:002009-05-01T11:50:14.825-04:002009 Klass Award Program, Flyer, Photos, Video, TranscriptThe 2009 NCAS Philip J. Klass Award was presented to Paul Kurtz, Founder and Chairman for CFI, CSI, and CSH, on April 10, at the 12th World Congress of the Center for Inquiry, held in Bethesda, Maryland.Here are links to memorabilia from that award ceremony: Philip J. Klass Award ProgramAward Event Flyer Award Ceremony Photos Award Ceremony YouTube Video Award Ceremony Transcript Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-44474372192298820242009-04-20T09:01:00.000-04:002009-05-24T22:47:40.646-04:00Therapeutic Touch: Fifth Force or Myth?Saturday, May 9, 1:30 pm - Public & FreeProfessor Eugenie V. Mielczarek, EmeritusDepartment of Physics, George Mason UniversityBethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd, Bethesda, MDNear Bethesda metro (map) (directions) (flyer)Alternative Medicine’s intrusion into science-based medicine fractures our medical care. A recent article in the Health Section of the Washington Post and information from its Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-77363152891974646882009-03-30T12:27:00.000-04:002009-04-12T21:11:38.537-04:00The Truth About Psychic DetectivesTuesday, April 14, 7:30 pm - Public & FreeBenjamin Radford, Skeptical Inquirer Managing EditorBethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD (map)Near Bethesda metro (directions)Psychic detectives seem to be everywhere on TV. Many of them claim to find missing persons, and solve cases for police and the FBI. But how good is the evidence for their claims? Drawing on a decade of personal Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-85981461878755437852009-03-28T13:07:00.003-04:002009-04-14T10:56:21.334-04:00NCAS Philip J. Klass Award to CFI's Paul Kurtz, Ph.D.Paul Kurtz Philip J. KlassFriday, Apr 10 - 11:30 am (Flyer)NCAS 2009 Philip J. Klass Award Presentation to CFI's Paul Kurtz, Ph.D.At the Center For Inquiry's 12th World Congress, Bethesda, MDSpecial Opportunity for NCAS Members Join with skeptics from around the world when NCAS honors the father of organized skepticism. NCAS will bestow its 2009 Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-75113352841694458982009-03-04T15:04:00.003-05:002009-04-30T21:20:28.924-04:00Drinking Skeptically with NCAS Wed April 8 at 7 pmDrinking Skeptically Comes to the DC Area!2d Wednesday Each Month -- Drop in 7 - 9 p.mJackie’s Restaurant (map)8081 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MDhttp://www.jackiesrestaurant.comWhat is Drinking Skeptically, you may ask? (You are a skeptic after all, questions are expected.) Drinking Skeptically is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and networking among skeptics, critical Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-2891531156110349642009-03-02T18:12:00.000-05:002009-03-29T12:35:16.599-04:00May 22-24 Penn & Teller Coming to Atlantic CityTickets for the Memorial Day Weekend Penn & Teller shows are available by special presale from Ticketmaster starting at 10 AM EDT on Tuesday, March 10.Enter presale code PTAC at these Ticketmaster links:Friday, May 22: www.ticketmaster.com/event/02004265C6A54FB5Saturday, May 23: www.ticketmaster.com/event/02004265C9A5513DSunday, May 24: www.ticketmaster.com/event/02004265C9AD514AAll shows start Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-28668077928594113292009-02-28T14:18:00.000-05:002009-03-05T17:21:13.570-05:00Myths & Realities About Hydrogen FuelSaturday, Mar 21, 1:30 pm Public & Free Rene Carlos, Advanced Composites Group, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MDNational Science Foundation, Room 1104201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA (*)(Flyer)Mankind has known of and studied hydrogen for over 300 years, and applied it to vehicles for over 200--first in balloons and dirigibles, then as high-performance rocket fuel, by militaryGarold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-45393864242743004462009-01-14T17:44:00.009-05:002009-06-03T22:00:17.545-04:00Darwin at 200, Human Nature at a Few Million, A Myth DispelledSaturday, Feb 14, 1:30 pm Public & FREEDennis K. McBride, Ph.D., Potomac Institute for Policy Studies,Georgetown University Medical SchoolGeorgetown University Public Policy InstituteNational Science Foundation, Room 110 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA (Map)This talk first reviews some of the least known but important elements of Charles Darwin’s portfolio as he published “Origins” in 1859, Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-34783903777993101732008-12-18T16:15:00.009-05:002008-12-22T08:48:23.707-05:00How Statistics Are Misunderstood in the Media and SocietySaturday, Jan 10, 1:30 pm Public & FREERebecca Goldin, Ph.D.Statistical Assessment Service National Science Foundation, Room 110 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VADr. Rebecca Goldin is Director of Research for the Statistical Assessment Service (stats.org), a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization affiliated withGarold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-62203823025658605162008-08-31T11:42:00.004-04:002008-11-21T15:37:27.151-05:00Understanding Creationism Sat Dec 13 at 1:30 pmSaturday, Dec 13, 1:30 pm Public & FREE Mary McCutcheon, Ph.D., George Mason University (Retired) National Science Foundation, Room 1104201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA * Why do so many people embrace creationism and reject evolution? What are their arguments? How does creationism promote community and address peoples' concerns about education, the Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-77899769570137741072008-08-30T12:15:00.000-04:002008-11-14T18:58:49.364-05:00Autism & Vaccines:How Bad Science Confuses the Press & Harms the PublicSaturday, Nov 8, 1:30 pm Public & FREE (Flyer)Steven Salzberg, Ph.D.,University of MarylandCenter for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology National Science Foundation, Room 110 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA *Ten years ago, an article appeared in the medical journal The Lancet that suggested a link between autism and the vaccine for measles, Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-79331172490214562782008-08-20T10:48:00.006-04:002008-11-08T11:42:32.914-05:00Nov 12 UMD Bioscience Day Honors Charles DarwinCelebrating Darwin at 200: Evolution and 21st Century Science Wednesday, November 12, 2008University of Maryland, College ParkInformation and Free Registration Highlights include: Keynote lecture at 5:00 PM by Pulitzer Prize winning scientist E.O. Wilson Visit from the “ghost” of Charles Darwin Professor invention competitionThe "Future" of Evolution Colony collapse disorder in Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-23855455707388617802008-08-18T19:49:00.001-04:002008-11-11T15:06:42.274-05:00Defining Normal: Sex and Gender MisconceptionsSaturday, Oct 11, 1:30 pm Public & FREE -- No RSVP (Flyer)Karen North (Handouts)Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD(near Bethesda metro) FREE Parking (*)Most people think that there are only two sexes, that these two sexes are easy to distinguish, and that gender is just another word for sex. None of these beliefs are true. This talk will explain the confusion, demonstrate the Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-17831570777436608722008-08-14T12:00:00.000-04:002008-11-06T10:00:45.215-05:00Drinking Skeptically with NCAS Wed Nov 5 at 7 pmDrinking Skeptically Comes to the DC Area!The first DC-area Drinking Skeptically event!Wednesday, November 5 at 7:00 p.mJackie’s Restaurant (map)8081 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MDhttp://www.jackiesrestaurant.comWhat is Drinking Skeptically, you may ask? (You are a skeptic after all, questions are expected.) Drinking Skeptically is an informal social event designed to promote fellowship and Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-47362933960934261172008-08-13T18:40:00.011-04:002008-08-14T08:18:38.197-04:00The Alien Grey: An Unnatural HistorySaturday, Sep 13, 1:30 - 4 pm (Note New Time) Public & FREE -- No RSVP (Flyer)Richard DengroveU.S. Department of Agriculture LibrarianNCAS Member since 1987Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD(near Bethesda metro) FREE Parking (*)The Alien Grey is associated with flying saucers, and flying saucer advocates want to keep it that way. They wish for you to believe that it is an Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-79571820451544386232008-07-11T11:19:00.003-04:002008-07-11T11:31:52.244-04:00NCAS Public Lectures Will Resume in SeptemberHave a pleasant Summer and meanwhile enjoy our website, including our improved NCAS Bibliographies section.Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-71687800132003076522008-04-23T09:32:00.008-04:002008-05-01T18:27:10.889-04:00May 10: Global Warming & Climate Change -- The Science Basis & Observations on Current PoliticsSaturday, May 102 - 4 pm Public & FreeNo RSVP Stuart Jordan, Ph.D.Emeritus senior staff scientist,NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD (map)Near Bethesda metro (directions)(image credit epa.gov)Garoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492901845697927705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-51761363691817893352008-02-17T15:47:00.006-05:002008-04-14T17:22:14.383-04:00Apr 18 Framing Science: Conflict & Consensus in Public CommunicationFriday, April 18, 1 - 3 pm (arrive by 12:45 pm)Public & FreeEasy Prior Registration Extended to April 17 (*) Matthew Nisbet, Ph.D.Assistant Professor, School of Communication,American University National Science Foundation, Room 375 (*) 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA(map)Over the coming decades, as society faces major collective choices onGaroldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492901845697927705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-5574689506477852892008-02-13T09:39:00.010-05:002008-03-10T21:11:52.332-04:00Mar 8 The Lingering Death of SuperstitionSaturday, March 8, 2 - 4 pm (Flyer)Public & Free Robert L. Park, Ph.D.Former University of Maryland Physics Department ChairNational Science Foundation, Room 110 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VAMapAt this event, Professor Park will receive the 2008 NCAS Philip J. Klass Award for his outstanding contributions in promoting critical thinking and scientific Garoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492901845697927705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-59420083948158585432008-01-14T15:20:00.000-05:002008-01-14T15:54:46.898-05:00Feb 9 Postmodernism vs. Science vs. FundamentalismSaturday, February 9, 2 - 4 pm Public & FREE Stephen Brush, D. Phil.National Science Foundation, Room 110 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VAmapflyerWas Thomas Kuhn a social constructionist? Who won the Science Wars, and was the victory the result of a "Trojan Horse" trick? (Think: Stephen Colbert with a Ph.D. in physics.)In the last quarter of the 20th century, two Garoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492901845697927705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-80113676135576772932007-12-13T07:02:00.000-05:002007-12-30T15:51:45.550-05:00Jan 12 Michael Shermer - The Mind of the MarketSaturday, January 12, 2 - 4 pmMichael Shermer, Ph.D. Discusses and signs"The Mind of the Market" (Flyer)Available for purchase at the eventNational Science Foundation, Room 1104201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA (map)Drawing on research from neuroeconomics, Shermer explores what brain scans reveal about bargaining, snap purchases, and how trust is established in business. Utilizing experiments Garoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492901845697927705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-55184332665271898482007-11-14T07:37:00.001-05:002008-10-23T17:24:25.533-04:00Examining the Culture of Free Energy ClaimantsSaturday, December 8, 2 - 4 pm Eric Krieg, Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking (PhACT)National Science Foundation, Room 110 (note new location) 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA (map)One block south of Ballston-Marymount University metro stop Orange Line. For most drivers, Route 66 to Fairfax Dr. to N. Stuart St. is the easiest route. Enter NSF from the Garold Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11074241818845463593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-78234149405745500492007-10-25T21:10:00.001-04:002008-10-23T17:25:09.352-04:00From Noah’s Ark to the Ark of the Covenant and Beyond: Junk Science, Amateur Enthusiasts, and Irresponsible Documentary FilmmakersSaturday, November 10, 2 - 4 pm (Flyer)Eric Cline, Ph.D. National Science Foundation, Room 110 (note new location) 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA (map)One block south of Ballston-Marymount University metro stop on Orange Line. Enter NSF from the corner of N. Stuart Street and 9th St. N. Room 110 is on the left. Parking is available in the Ballston Common mall, in the Garoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492901845697927705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-55902184868330568942007-09-12T20:14:00.000-04:002007-10-04T16:31:24.896-04:00Oct 20 - Understanding Paranormal Belief in the 21st CenturySaturday, October 20, 2 - 4 pm (Note changed date) (Flyer)Beamed Aboard a UFO by a Psychic Sasquatch ...Understanding Paranormal Belief in the 21st CenturyRick Wood, host of Audiomartini.com (Curious Paranormal Radio)Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD (near Metro)Rick Wood will share his experience over the course of seven years hosting a skeptical paranormal talk show that has Garoldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492901845697927705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15454631.post-52039689600641668162007-08-16T20:24:00.000-04:002007-08-27T19:58:43.722-04:00Sep 8 - Too Good to Be FalseMemorandum 46 and Other Race-based Urban LegendsCasey Lartigue, Jr. Saturday, September 8, 2 - 4 pm FREE (Flyer)Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD (near Metro)Memorandum 46 -- allegedly revealing a sinister government plot to undermine black leadership in the U.S. and to sow discord with Africans abroad -- recently gained renewed prominence on black talk radio. Casey Lartigue willGaroldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04492901845697927705noreply@blogger.com