Nine can’t-miss science and technology events in Davis: including the Chemistry Magic Show, Pre-Health Conference and HackDavis
By NAREN KRISHNA JEGAN — science@theaggie.org
- Davis Science Café
Held each month in collaboration with G Street WunderBar, UC Davis Chemistry Professor Jared Shaw hosts the Davis Science Café to bring real-life research closer to the general community. Every Science Café brings in a local expert in basic or translational science. Past lineups include professors of psychology, entomology and even statistics. Unlike departmental or research meetings aimed at sharing results, the Davis Science Café aims to introduce community members from diverse backgrounds to new science fields, in an exciting environment which fosters interaction and removes the isolated feeling that comes with sitting in a college lecture hall.
The Davis Science Café has cemented itself as one of Davis’ beloved science events. Taking place on the second Wednesday of each month at G Street WunderBar from 5:30-7 p.m., the goal of each café is to bring forth a new piece of science you may not have known existed. For more information, contact Jared Shaw (jtshaw@ucdavis.edu) or Haleigh Patten-Trujillo (hpattent@ucdavis.edu).
- The Bohart Museum of Entomology
Tucked inside Academic Surge, the Bohart Museum of Entomology is one of UC Davis’ most fascinating hidden gems. Home to over 7 million insect specimens, it’s the seventh-largest insect collection in North America and a must-visit for any science enthusiast. The museum offers regular open house days, where visitors can learn about insect biodiversity, ecology and behavior; lucky visitors sometimes even get the chance to hold live insects from the “petting zoo.” Whether you’re a first-year biology major or simply curious about the six-legged world, the Bohart Museum is one of the best ways to truly bask in the diversity of life on this planet.
- California Raptor Center
No, it’s not that scene from Jurassic World where Owen Grady hops in to tame the hungry Velociraptors; it’s one of the top research animal science facilities in the world, dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned birds of prey.
The California Raptor Center, located at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, rehabilitates injured and orphaned birds of prey like hawks, owls and eagles, while also serving as a vital research and education hub. Visitors can tour the facility, meet ambassador birds and learn about the crucial ecological roles raptors play as top predators and environmental sentinels. The center’s mission blends public education with hands-on veterinary science, making it an ideal destination for students interested in wildlife biology, veterinary medicine or environmental science.
- The BioInnovation Group Research Training Program
New to research or looking to gain some solid wet-lab experience? The BioInnovation
Group (BIG) hosts a variety of research programs that students can participate in. Among these, the BioInnovation Group Research Training Program (BIG-RT) provides students with knowledge in running tasks such as gel electrophoresis and polymerase chain reactions — completely for free. In small groups, students are tasked with using these lab techniques to solve pressing real-world problems, providing strong critical and research thinking skills. BIG-RT operates multiple sessions every quarter and is on a first-come-first-serve basis. Once students finish BIG-RT, they are awarded a certificate of completion, which can be used to join research labs on campus. For more information regarding BIG-RT session availability per quarter, follow @big.rt.ucdavis on Instagram.
- Picnic Day
Known all over the United States, Picnic Day is a day-long celebration where the Davis community joins together in festivities, from dawn until dusk. UC Davis’ science departments host numerous interactive exhibits on campus, including the famous “Chemistry Magic Show.” Packed with parades, numerous tabling events and interactive exhibits on campus, one could find themselves sampling sorbets made from liquid nitrogen in the morning, tinkering with sound-following robots and launching weather balloons in the afternoon, ending the day with a variety of shows offered by the Physics, Entomology, Chemistry and Computer Engineering Departments. Among all of the activities mentioned in this article, Picnic Day is one event you cannot miss.
- Undergraduate Research Conference
Held every spring and spread over multiple days, the annual Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) brings together hundreds of students who share ongoing research projects in areas from science to arts and humanities. If you’re interested in expanding your research skills or want to see what your fellow classmates have been working on, this is the place for you.
- Pre-Health Conference at UC Davis
Whether you are familiar with the pre-health field or are curious about which career to choose, the Pre-Health Conference at UC Davis is the largest pre-health event in the nation, boasting over 3,000 attendees and 200+ exhibitors representing over 20 health professions. Attending the conference provides students with the opportunity to understand the various programs and careers available, while directly networking and interacting with deans of admission and admissions committee members. Students also get the opportunity to learn from individuals from all stages in their pre-health journeys and gain valuable clinical skills through didactic and interactive workshop sessions. If you’re a new pre-health student at Davis or looking to explore a career path that fits your interests, this event is a must-attend.
- HackDavis
Run entirely by students, HackDavis is one of the largest collegiate hackathons on the West Coast and an exciting opportunity to collaborate, innovate and create something meaningful. Over a 24-hour weekend, students form teams to design apps, websites and hardware projects that address real-world issues in sustainability, education and social good. Even if you’re new to coding, HackDavis welcomes all skill levels with workshops, mentors and free food to keep ideas (and energy) flowing. It’s an inspiring, fast-paced event that embodies the creative and collaborative spirit of Davis’ student tech community. Even if you don’t have a strong background in technology, this is a great way to work with friends in a team to create a project you can be proud of.
- The UC Davis Arboretum
Home to over 2,500 plant species and varieties, the UC Davis Arboretum is one of Davis’ crown jewels. Stretching along the Putah Creek waterway, the Arboretum offers a scenic escape filled with native and international plant collections; from Australian eucalyptus groves to California native gardens. It is a favorite spot for students to walk, jog or simply unwind amongst the ducks, turtles and fish that inhabit the Arboretum’s ponds. Moreover, if you’re interested in learning about the biodiversity of natural environments, the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Gardens team hires student interns and volunteers to help maintain the ecology and land management of the Arboretum. Whether you study ecology or agriculture, or are simply looking to get back into nature, the Arboretum is one of the most blissful places to be.
Written by: Naren Krishna Jegan — science@theaggie.org
