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Young Scientist Roundtable

A monthly program designed for students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade and their parents to learn about exciting ideas and developments presented by professors and prominent experts in many scientific fields... presented at Wayzata Central Middle School. All programs are always free and no registration is required. Following the main presentation at 7:00 p.m., a "Teen Roundtable" takes place where students can participate in an in-depth discussion and question/answer session with the speaker. All programs are recorded for playback on ED's TV and some may be viewed online (video on demand).

Young Scientist Roundtable Finishes Up 21st Season!

Seven exciting and informational programs took place during the 2012-2013 School Year. This year, the season kicked off with Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Allan Hunt returning to Young Scientist Roundtable with his fascinating discussions and demonstrations of knee replacement surgery and other sports medicine and orthopedic advancements before an audience of over 350 young scientists and their parents. The next program on October 15 featured the topic "Bear Conservation" with fascinating observations of bears throughout the world. The season concluded with a detailed look at the applications of "Magnetic Nanobots". Check this website for dates and details of next season's 2013-2014 programs as soon as they are announced. All programs are recorded for playback on ED's TV and some may be viewed online (video on demand).

Ever wonder how a knuckleball seems to defy the laws of aerodynamics? (see video clip above)

This was just one of many interesting aspects of the February 5 program on Physics and Fluid Dynamics presented by Dr. Paul Strykowski.

Pdf flyer for YSR Program: YSR flyer 3/05/2013

Dates and Programs for 2012-2013:

Thursday September 20, 2012 — "Orthopedics and Sports Medicine" - Dr. Allan Hunt
Monday October 15, 2012 — "Bear Conservation Around the World"
Tuesday November 13, 2012 — "From Urea to Lipitor™: The Art and Science of Molecular Construction"
Monday December 17, 2012 — "Making Fuels with Sunlight" - Dr. Jane Davidson
Tuesday January 8, 2013 — "Exploring Great Mysteries About Prime Numbers" - Dr. Benjamin Brubaker
Tuesday February 5, 2013 — "The Amazing World of Fluid Dynamics" - Dr. Paul Strykowski
Tuesday March 5, 2013 — "Heart Therapy: Engineering Modern Medical Technology" - Mr. Mark Marshall (the March 5 YSR program was not held due to weather but will hopefully be re-scheduled next season... check this website for information)
Monday April 15, 2013 — "Magnetic Nanobots" - Dr. Bethanie J. Hills Stadler

Check the 2012-2013 Schedule webpage for more details of this season's programs

Check the 2011-2012 Programs webpage for details of last season's programs

Visit the Video Gallery to view short video clips of programs and a video of the program opening.

DVD copies may also soon be available for viewing/checkout.

Online videos of entire Young Scientist Roundtable Presentations and Teen Roundtables are being posted on the webpage of the individual program record.

Video programs available for viewing include:

"Entomology and Death: Solving Mysteries with Maggots" (March 6, 2012)

"Computers, Robots and You" (February 6, 2012)

"Brain Tumors: Harnessing the Body's Immune System for Treatment" (December 5, 2011) (Teen RT)

"Dogs With Brain Tumors: Traditional and Non-Traditional Therapies" (October 4, 2011)

"The Heart of the Hibernating Black Bear" (February 1, 2011).

News of Interest:

Dr. John Ohlfest (Posted January 24, 2013):

Young Scientist Roundtable regrets the passing of Dr. John Ohlfest, who was a pioneering brain tumor researcher and a friend of YSR. In December of 2011, Dr. Ohlfest gave a presentation that was an outstanding example of service in science and to the community. The picture to the left shows him sketching gene interactions during his Teen Roundtable session with students, which can be viewed in an online video. The full YSR program will be re-shown on ED's TV on Thursday February 7 at 7:30 p.m., Friday February 8 at 8:30 a.m., and Sunday February 10 at 4:00 p.m. The YSR Program featuring his colleague and research partner Dr. G. Elizabeth Pluhar, will be shown on ED's TV the week before.