Capitol College President’s Forum Hosts Renowned Speaker on Citizen Science

 

Contact: Kyle Anderson Marketing & Communications Coordinator 301-369-2800, ext. 3015 kdanderson@capitol-college.edu

 

 

LAUREL, Md. (March 15, 2011) – On Wednesday, April 13, the Capitol College President’s Forum will present Dr. Pamela L. Gay at 12:00 p.m. in the Avrum Gudelsky Auditorium.

 

Gay’s speech, titled Citizen Science: From the Cosmos to Cornflowers. The Story of how Ordinary People are enabling large-scale discovery, will discuss the nature of “citizen science” and detail how average people are making extraordinary discoveries every day.

 

“We live in a new age of technology driven science, with new instruments and new computers allowing us to collect more information – more images, more DNA profiles, more environmental sensor data – than ever before,” Gay says. “These new technologies make it possible to answer new questions and do new studies that couldn't even be imagined in the past.”

 

Because of this wealth of information and technology, scientists are relying on the public more for help analyzing their information. Software applications like Old Weather and Galaxy Zoo are allowing everyday citizens to assist scientists more and more each day. Dr. Gay will discuss these topics and more during the President’s Forum, which is the headline event for Capitol’s Innovation and Leadership Institute (ILI).

 

“Capitol is proud to welcome someone as influential and prominent in the Astronomy field as Dr. Pamela Gay,” Dr. Michael Gibbs, vice president for advancement, said. “By continually hosting such established and well-respected speakers, the President’s Forum provides Capitol students the insight they need to succeed in today’s workforce.”

 

An astronomer, educator, writer and podcaster, Gay was the co-founder of “Slacker Astronomy,” a weekly audio astronomy podcast with thousands of listeners. Having received her PhD in astronomy from the University of Texas, Austin, Gay currently co-hosts “Astronomy Cast” and is an assistant research professor of physics in the interdisciplinary Center for STEM Research, Education and Outreach at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

 

The ILI hosts various government and business leaders who teach and mentor students, while fostering a climate for innovation and leadership development. Speakers share their knowledge and experiences with students, which are needed to succeed and flourish in our global economy. In addition to the President’s Forum, the ILI hosts the Speaker’s Series, which brings additional speakers to campus.

 

Capitol College is the only independent college in Maryland dedicated to education in engineering, computer science, information technology and business through practices of leadership and innovation. Founded in 1927, Capitol offers associate, bachelor’s and master's degrees, a doctor of science in information assurance, professional development training and certificates. Academic programs are grounded in centers of excellence; these include the Space Operations Institute, the Critical Infrastructures and Cyber Protection Center, the Innovation and Leadership Institute, and the Center for Space Science Education and Public Outreach. The college campus is located in Laurel, Maryland, a suburban setting midway between Baltimore and Washington, DC. www.capitol-college.edu.

 

###