Begley Jr. first up in science series
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

The Discovery Center, a science and technology educational "museum without walls," will conduct its first Science Speaker Series—"Science Everyone Can Understand"—beginning Thurs., Oct. 16 with a discussion by actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr.

Begley's topic, Energy Efficiency for the New Millennium: How to Protect the Environment and Save Money, will explore the rising cost of energy and more cost effective green alternatives.

"As I talk to people about the upcoming Discovery Center Science Speaker Series, I am impressed with how excited people are for this opportunity," said Carrie Glicksteen, a spokesperson for the center. "Dick Elsley, the director of this program, has done an excellent job in selecting the topics and individuals that will make the lectures comprehensible to those of us that don't have vast background in these scientific fields."

The speaker series, Glicksteen said, will provide nontechnical explanations of complex scientific issues in a format geared to adults and mature teens.

Elsley, a retired scientist, said his second career has been focused on "getting kids excited about science." Local school children, he said, know him as "Dr. Discovery."

Since new scientific discoveries are expected to have a significant impact on the lives of people in the 21st century, Elsley said it's more important than ever that people understand enough about science and technology to help guide their decisions "at the ballot box, in the grocery store, in matters of health and in other areas of our lives."

"More and more issues that come up in our lives these days require an understanding of science to make sensible decisions," Elsley said. The general public, he added, doesn't need formal training in science. Understanding a few basic scientific principles will enable them to appreciate medical breakthroughs and other science-based news. The speaker series will explain those principles, he said.

The program, which will run through April, will also feature the following speakers and topics:

•Nov. 13: How to Engineer Tissues and Organs—Dr. Bill Tawil, UCLA

•Feb. 12: Can the Flu Become a Pandemic?—Dr. Barbara Spraktes-Wilkins, chief epidemiologist, Ventura County

•March 12: Nanotechnology for Fighting Cancer—Dr. Jim Heath, professor of chemistry, Cal Tech

•April 16: The Oceans Today—Dr. Steven Norris, California State University Channel Islands

The series will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at Baxter Biosciences, 1 Baxter Way, Westlake Village. General admission for each lecture costs $15, or $60 for the five lecture series.

The cost for students, teachers and senior citizens is $10 per lecture, or $40 for the series.

The Discovery Center for Science and Technology is an educational nonprofit.

Its mission is to create excitement about learning science and technology in an environment that promotes curiosity, exploration, discovery and creativity, said Wayne Davey, president of the Discovery Center.

Although the center doesn't yet have a fixed location, it provides educational programs at various school and community venues.

The Discovery Center's programs and activities are designed to help people of all ages to "understand more about themselves and their world and to think critically and creatively," Davey said.

"The dream is to build a permanent home for The Discovery Center, a 58,000squarefoot handson and mindengaging science and technology museum that will be a resource for the entire region," he said.

To purchase tickets, visit www.ScienceSpeakerSeries.org or www.discoverycntr.org, or call (805) 905-8168 for further information.