with Laura Peticolas, Ph.D. of Sonoma State University
WHEN?: Wednesday, January 29th, 2025 – TLHS Innovation Hub – 7:30 – 8:30pm
Description: What are those amazing auroras we’ve been seeing around here in recent years? Laura Peticolas earned her B.A. in mathematics and physics at the University of Oregon Honors College and her Ph.D. in physics studying the aurora at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She then spent 3 years as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of California’s Space Sciences Laboratory continuing her study of Earth’s aurora using NASA’s Fast Auroral SnapshoT satellite data and computational models. During this time, she expanded her research to include developing computer models of the Martian aurora. She continued these computational research efforts while transitioning to the profession of education and outreach in 2008. In this presentation she will share her knowledge of auroras and solar storms. Bring your questions and your curiosity!
Bio:Dr. Laura Peticolas is Associate Director of EdEon STEM Learning at Sonoma State University, where she works to engage middle and high-school science teachers, high school students and college students in earth and astronomy participatory experiences using coding, hardware, and experimental design. In 2000, she received her PhD at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in physics, studying the northern lights. At the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), she continued her scientific research pursuits, while also engaging in education and outreach efforts. In 2010, she became a Senior Fellow at the Space Sciences Laboratory at UC Berkeley, and Director of Multiverse, the Space Sciences Laboratory’s education group. This move completed her transition from science research to science education as a focus. In 2017, she moved to Sonoma State University in order to continue her work with high school science teachers and undergraduate students historically underserved in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
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