February 11, 2021 at 7:30pm via Zoom and Facebook Live
1) It’s Electric (Boogie, Oogie, Oogie) by Torend Collins, Program Coordinator, Environmental Defense Fund
From combating climate change to requiring minimal maintenance, electric vehicles (EVs) are helping shape the future of transportation as we know it. Environmental Defense Fund’s Torend Collins discussed Florida’s work around EV adoption, explained how EVs can help tackle climate change and what’s hot in Tallahassee to support statewide EV adoption.
As Program Coordinator, Torend helps develop and execute campaigns advancing EDF’s Florida strategy on climate change. She is not just an EV advocate but also the proud owner of a 2013 Ford Focus electric vehicle named Sassy. She is also a lover of tacos (which pair well with pretty much any beer).
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2) Tag! You’re it. by Peter Chaibongsai, Director of Conservation Program, The Billfish Foundation
We dove into the world of some of the fastest and largest fish in the world, the largest tagging database in the world, and the people working to protect them.
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3) Shattering the Stigma by Crystal Miranda
In this presentation, we learned how to destigmatize mental health and normalize the struggles of the human condition. Crystal Miranda is a mental health professional, PhD in psychology student, and the founder of The Healthy Mind Movement. The Healthy Mind Movement is a Miami, FL based non-profit organization. It aims to promote mental wellness and self-growth through evidence-based information and community immersion.
Presented byUniversity of Miami’s Graduate Student Association January 28, 2021 at 7:30pm via Zoom and Facebook Live.
We’re kicking off 2021 with a special Nerd Nite featuring 3 Florida nerd bosses from Nerd Nites Miami and Orlando. Join us for a beer in your sweatpants on your couch and get to know some nerd bosses better.
Line Up:
1) Military Marine Mammals: Dolphins So Smart They Should Do A Nerd Nite Presentationby Laura Chaibongsai, Nerd Nite Miami Co-Boss and UM Grad Alum
The best humans in the US Navy and the most advanced technologies don’t hold a candle to the abilities of marine mammals, such as dolphins and sea lions, when it comes to certain undersea missions. The US Navy’s Marine Mammal Program features some of the most highly trained animals in the world. Laura will share what these animals do and what makes perfect for the job. Laura is a Nerd Nite Miami Co-Boss and marine science nerd.
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2) Why Toy Story is the Greatest Franchise of All Timeby Ricardo Williams, Nerd Nite Orlando Boss
So the world shuts down for a year. Many people are locked away in their homes due to quarantine. What do you with all that time inside? Deep clean? Finally fix that wobbly table in the living room? Start that epic screenplay you’ve been toying around with in your head for the past decade?…. D.) None of the above. You binge watch your favorite TV and movie series! In this talk, Ricardo Williams will go over how 2020 led him to re-think the quality and viability of some of our most cherished cinematic universes and why Toy Story is atop them all. Ricardo Williams is the host of Nerd Nite Orlando, founder of Orlando For Revolution, and the owner of SOVRINOS LLC. Ricardo is also a filmmaker and musician. Currently, he writes about culture, history, and produces the show, “NERDIER THINGS”.
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3) A Brief History of Underwear by Melissa Blundell-Osorio, Nerd Nite Miami Co-Boss
You’ve probably never given much thought to why we’ve come to wear underwear, but the history of it is a fascinating one! This presentation will explore the various purposes and functions of underwear, how it evolved over the years to the modern-day garments we wear, and how cultural attitudes around sex and gender are reflected in these intimate items. Melissa is a Nerd Nite Miami Co-Boss and the Director of Education at the Wilzig Erotic Art Museum. Her nerdy interests are in human behavior, psychology, and anthropology, particularly when it comes to human sexuality.
December 10, 2020 at 7:30pm via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Each year we bring back some of our favorite speakers from the year to entertain and educate us once more. Join us online on December 10, 2020 to hear from some Nerd Nite all-stars.
Line Up:
1) Pepper’s (?) Ghost (Because What 2020 Needs is More Horror) by Lizzie Bracken (the haunted mansion lady)
Lizzie is back to go into more detail on the history and techniques of theatrical illusions, specifically on creating ghosts and holograms.
Lizzie is a designer, artist, and architect living in Chicago. She is currently an Architectural Designer at Jonathan Splitt Architects, Ltd. She is an award winning theatrical designer and former Assistant Professor of Theatrical Design and Technology at North Central College, and is also a company member with The Ruffians and Playmakers Laboratory (formerly Barrel of Monkeys) in Chicago. Lizzie has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame, and a MFA in Theatrical Design from the University of Texas at Austin.
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2) Washington, D.C. – Taxation Without Representation. by Kristofer Hernandez (the electoral college guy)
A look at why the national’s capital is not a state, what that means for its residents, and what can legally be done about it.
Kristofer B. Hernandez is a graduate of the University of Chicago with a focus on Electoral Politics and self-proclaimed civics nerd. Kristofer is also an attorney, a member of the Board of the ACLU of Greater Miami, a member of the Voter Services Committee of the League of Women Voters of Miami-Date, and the Miami-Dade Chair of the Floridians for National Popular Vote.
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3) Sailor Moon Part 2: Unmasking the Magical Girl, A Critical Take by Darwin Rodriguez (the Sailor Moon guy)
A critical analysis and summary of Sailor Moon, arguably the most successful and world-renowned example of the “Magical Girl” Anime genre. This presentation will contextualize Sailor Moon as a catch-all of numerous Eastern and Western narrative, religious, and visual tropes, employing various analytical lenses. Basically, let’s geek out over Sailor Moon with art history, sociology, anthropology, and some anecdotes here and there. Darwin Rodriguez is a public historian that works primarily at the Perez Art Museum Miami as a Teaching Artist and museum education facilitator. He is also an adjunct professor of History at FIU, specializing in Western Civilization and US History. He hails from Hialeah by way of Washington Heights, calling both Miami and New York home. Darwin is most interested in democratizing visual learning through social interaction, and is also an anime nerd.
Nerd Nite Miami is a monthly event during which several folks give fun-yet-informative presentations while the audience drinks along. It’s like the Discovery Channel… with beer! The drinking is just as important as the learning.
