IAP 2015 Activities by Category - Miscellaneous

Zach Berta-Thompson, Torres Postdoctoral Fellow, MKI

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions

Join us for daytime stargazing! We will have solar telescopes set up so you can safely observe our closest star, the Sun. Swing on by for a quick look, and feel free to stay and chat with MIT astronomers over cups of cocoa.

This activity is being co-sponsored with EAPS.

weather permitting

A complete listing of all IAP activities being offered by MIT's Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research is available here.

Sponsor(s): Kavli Institute for Astrophysics
Contact: Zach Berta-Thompson, 37-673, 617-253-5084, zkbt@mit.edu

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(Canceled) (Safely) Observe the Sun

Jan/14

Wed

10:30AM-12:00PM

Student Center Steps

First of three solar observing days -- weather permitting.

Zach Berta-Thompson - Torres Postdoctoral Fellow, MKI

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(Safely) Observe the Sun

Jan/21

Wed

10:30AM-12:00PM

Student Center Steps

Second solar observing day out of three -- weather permitting

Zach Berta-Thompson - Torres Postdoctoral Fellow, MKI

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(Safely) Observe the Sun

Jan/23

Fri

12:00PM-01:30PM

Student Center Steps

Final day of solar observing -- weather permitting.

Zach Berta-Thompson - Torres Postdoctoral Fellow, MKI

Chris Murphy, emerging technology analyst

Jan/29

Thu

01:00PM-03:00PM

4-270

Enrollment: Limited: First come, first served (no advance sign-up)
Attendance: Repeating event, particpants welcome at any session

The annual International Comsumer Electronics Show (CES) is the industry's showcase event, with over 3600 exhibitors showing the latest developments in consumer electronics to over 160,000 attendees.  Join Chris Murphy, emerging technology analyst in IS&T, to discuss what he saw at CES in a variety of areas including television displays and content, 3D printing, drones, robotics, and more.

Sponsor(s): Information Systems & Technology
Contact: Chris Murphy, W92-191, 617 253-4105, CHRIS@MIT.EDU

Dave Pritchard, Professor

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Attendance: Participants must attend all sessions
Prereq: none

Mechanics ReView– Prof. Dave Pritchard Start: Monday, Jan 12, 2015  End: Thursday, Jan  29, 2015.  Building on Newtonian Mechanics at the 8.01 level, we will offer a unified view of how to solve real world mechanics problems that involve several concepts at once. We will emphasize several themes: modeling reality, specifying the system and interactions, making sense of the answer, approximations/estimation, how to approach problems and decompose them into simpler pieces. We will use online models that gives students a hierarchical overview of the core physical content of Mechanics. Limited enrollment – sign up by 12:00 noon Monday Jan. 12, 2015

Sponsor(s): Physics
Contact: Nancy Boyce, 4-315, 617 253-4461, NBOYCE@MIT.EDU

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	Jan/12	Mon	03:00PM-05:00PM	32-082
	Jan/13	Tue	03:00PM-05:00PM	32-082
	Jan/14	Wed	03:00PM-05:00PM	32-082
	Jan/15	Thu	03:00PM-05:00PM	32-082
	Jan/16	Fri	03:00PM-05:00PM	32-082
	Jan/20	Tue	03:00PM-05:00PM	32-082
	Jan/21	Wed	03:00PM-05:00PM	32-082
	Jan/22	Thu	03:00PM-05:00PM	32-082
	Jan/23	Fri	03:00PM-05:00PM	32-082
	Jan/26	Mon	03:00PM-05:00PM	32-082
	Jan/27	Tue	03:00PM-05:00PM	32-082
	Jan/28	Wed	03:00PM-05:00PM	32-082
	Jan/29	Thu	03:00PM-05:00PM	32-082

Dave Pritchard - Professor

Dr. Michael Nowak, Research Scientist, MIT Kavli Institute

Jan/22

Thu

03:15PM-03:35PM

37-252 Marlar Lounge

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Prereq: 2pm (Grinberg) & 2:30pm (Marshall)

A brief introduction to the Chandra X-ray Observatory will be given prior to tour of the X-ray Polarimetry Lab.

Please note: to attend the 3:40pm tour of the Polarimetry Lab, you must attend this talk as well as the 2:00pm talk by Dr. Victoria Grinberg and the 2:30 talk by Dr. Herman Marshall.  Lab tour limited to 20 people.  Sign up sheet available at 1:55 in 37-252.

The group will depart Building 37 at 3pm and walk together to NE83-530.

Sponsor(s): Kavli Institute for Astrophysics
Contact: Debbie Meinbresse, 37-241, 617 253-1456, MEINBRES@MIT.EDU

Julia Huang, David Wong

Jan/18

Sun

07:00PM-09:00PM

McCormick

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Tired and want to relax after Mystery Hunt? Or just want to sing and dance your heart out? Need something to lift your spirits and get you pumped for the week, this night is the night for you! Show off your musical talent with our collection of Mandarin and English karaoke. While waiting for a free spot at the mic, work on your rhythm and dancing skills with DDR in the McCormik Brown Living Room. Tired of the noisy stuff? No problem. We'll also have board games and such for you to enjoy. Come join us!

Sponsor(s): Association of Taiwanese Students
Contact: David Wong, 732-589-6472, dyhwong@mit.edu

Joel Pettigrew, Student Activities

Jan/30

Fri

03:00PM-05:00PM

Lobdell, W20

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Join us for mini-workshops from our most popular sessions from previous Charm Schools, including: How to Tie a Bow Tie and Proper Handshakes! Additionally, gain some fashion knowledge with on-site consultations on what makes a charming outfit, whether you are working for a Fortune 500 or a local startup or non-profit!  We'll charm your socks off!

 

There will also be dessert for days here, and you can even learn how to Throw a Charming Party or how to frost a cupcake!

Contact: Joel Pettigrew, W20-549, 617 253-5369, JOELP@MIT.EDU

Leah Gallant, Director of Student Activities

Jan/27

Tue

04:00PM-05:30PM

W20-307 /Mezz Lounge

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Ever wonder where you should take your date for the first date?  Is Dinner and a Movie still a thing?

These questions, and lots more, are answered in this relaxed, open, and fun session on dating etiquette, and how to be a charming date.  Join us to chat and learn how to turn this complex and nerve-wracking saga of dating into something fun, enjoyable, and meaningful!

Contact: Joel Pettigrew, W20-549, 617 253-5369, JOELP@MIT.EDU

Joel Pettigrew, Program Coordinator, Student Activities

Jan/28

Wed

06:30PM-08:30PM

R&D Commons, 32-4th, Business Casual dress recommended.

Enrollment: http://goo.gl/forms/zjmULqeO9v
Sign-up by 01/20
Limited to 30 participants

Wait a second, did you just use your salad fork on your pork chop entree??? If this question fills you with fear, or if you just want to better understand dining etiquette that will help you in your professional life, this workshop is for you.  Be prepared to turn on the charm at your next dinner party!

Contact: Joel Pettigrew, W20-549, 617 253-5369, JOELP@MIT.EDU

Christian Bailey, Instructor

Jan/23

Fri

05:00PM-06:30PM

Lobby 13

Enrollment: Limited: First come, first served (no advance sign-up)
Limited to 20 participants

Learn actual techniques taught to officers in CIA’s Directorate of Operations. These critical skills may be lifesaving one day.

 

During this lesson, you will be restrained with and learn how to escape from:

-  duct tape (most common form of restraint used by kidnapers)

-  police-issue handcuffs

-  rope

-  police-issue zip ties

 

About the Instructor: Christian Bailey (’11) is the founder of Curated Innovation, an invention lab he started with two of his MIT professors. He has trained with the Department of Defense and the intelligence community, and is a certified firearms instructor, a certificated flight instructor in helicopters, and an instrument-rated pilot.

Sponsor(s): Student Juggling Club
Contact: Christian Bailey, 617 466 9070, christianbailey@curatedinnovation.org

Jared Sadoian '10

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Attendance: Participants must attend all sessions
Prereq: Participants must be 21 or older by 01/10/15 w/ a valid ID
Fee: $150.00 for full set of bar tools, ingredients, course materials

Ready to go beyond gin & tonics and strawberry daiquiris? Curious why some drinks are stirred and not shaken? Why do those mixologists have to have suspenders and handlebar moustaches, anyways? Get some hands-on experience this IAP learning about classic cocktails and bartending in a craft environment. You’ll shake, stir, and strain your way through over 150 years of cocktail history, from the earliest definitions of a cocktail to cutting edge drinks grounded in classic technique. You'll leave the course armed with the knowledge and tools you need to make beautiful & delicious drinks at home.

This two-part seminar will be taught by Craigie on Main bartenders Jared Sadoian '10 and Rob Ficks. No experience is necessary, though just a splash of prerequisite reading will be sent out prior to the start of the course.

Both sections have sold out. There is a waitlist.
Section A:  2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, January 10 and 17.
Section B: 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays, January 24 and 31.
Participants must attend all four meetings for their respective session.
Participants must be age 21 or older by 01/10/15. 
A valid ID that shows your date of birth is required.
Registration is required.

Fee: $150.00* for a full set of bar tools to take home with you at the conclusion of the course, cocktail ingredients, and course material. 

*Refunds will be granted up until Dec. 29 at noon. Please direct your questions to cocktailclass@craigieonmain.com.

Sessions sold out.

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

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Cocktails 101: Section A

Jan/10

Sat

02:00PM-04:30PM

853 Main St.Cambridg

Ready to go beyond gin & tonics and strawberry daiquiris? Curious why some drinks are stirred and not shaken? Why do those "mixologists" have to have suspenders and handlebar moustaches, anyways? Get some hands-on experience this IAP learning about classic cocktails and bartending in a craft environment.

Time & Dates: 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sat., Jan. 10 & 17.
Location: 853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA

SOLD OUT.

Jared Sadoian '10

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Cocktails 101 Section B

Jan/24

Sat

02:00PM-04:30PM

853 MainSt.Cambridg

Ready to go beyond gin & tonics and strawberry daiquiris? Curious why some drinks are stirred and not shaken? Why do those "mixologists" have to have suspenders and handlebar moustaches, anyways? Get some hands-on experience this IAP learning about classic cocktails and bartending in a craft environment.

Time & Dates: 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sat., Jan. 24 & 31.
Location: 853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA

SOLD OUT.

Jared Sadoian '10

Jared Sadoian '10

Jan/24

Sat

12:00PM-01:00PM

853 Main St Cambridg

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Prereq: Participants must be 21 or older by 01/17/15 w/ a valid ID
Fee: $60.00 for supplies

In 1962, The Four Seasons release “Sherry” to worldwide acclaim. We like to think of it as an ode to the fortified wine from Spain fast becoming the darling child of the cocktail world. You’ll be singing too after learning about the region, tasting wide range of flavors and styles, and creating lower-alcohol cocktails with Sherry that retain all of the flavor of their boozier counterparts. -- $60

Time & Date: Noon to 1:00 p.m. on Sat., Jan. 24
Location: 853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA

Participants must be 21 years old by 1/24/15 with a valid ID.

Register today!

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Jared Sadoian '10

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Attendance: Participants must attend all sessions
Prereq: Participants must be 21 or older by 01/17/15 w/ a valid ID
Fee: $120.00 for supplies

Rum for us at Craigie on Main has been an integral part of our cocktail program, and Jared’s favorite spirit. It's a great value compared to Scotch, Brandy, and American Whiskey for the diner looking for an after-dinner dram. Rums range from sweet & sticky to dry & elegant. This two part seminar will cover the history of rum from its origins in the Carribbean to its spread around the world, and include a flight of rums demonstrating the variety of styles and flavors in this fantastically delicious spirit. -- $120

Time & Dates: Noon to 1:00 p.m. on Sat., Jan. 17 & 31
Location: 853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA

Participants must be 21 years old by 1/17/15 with a vaild ID.

Register today!

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

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Rum, Ron, Rhum

Jan/17

Sat

12:00PM-01:00PM

853 Main St Cambridg

Day one of the rum seminar.

Jared Sadoian '10

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Rum, Ron, Rhum

Jan/31

Sat

12:00PM-01:00PM

853 Main St Cambridg

Day two of the rum seminar.

Jared Sadoian '10

Jared Sadoian '10

Jan/10

Sat

12:00PM-01:00PM

853 Main St Cambridg

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Prereq: Participants must be 21 or older by 01/10/15 w/ a valid ID
Fee: $75.00 for supplies

Distillation has been a tradition in Scotland for over 500 years, but to many the region and its whisky still mystify the consumer and home bartender. In this seminar, we will explore the major regions of Scotch whisky by taste, and finish with a discussion of Scotch’s growing use behind the bar with a flight of Scotch cocktails. -- $75

Time & Date: Noon to 1:00 p.m. on Sat., Jan. 10.
Location: 853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA

Participants must be 21 by 1/10/15 with a valid ID.

Register today!

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Paul Gunning, Planning & Guidance Consultant

Jan/08

Thu

12:00PM-01:00PM

W20-307

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

This workshop is designed to help employees who are ready to take their retirement savings to the next level, become more confident investors, understand how the markets may impact their investment strategy, and learn ways to establish and maintain a tax-sensitive savings approach.

Sponsor(s): MIT Human Resources
Contact: Julienne Dean, E19-215H, 617 253-8979, JULIEK@MIT.EDU

Craig Bryer, Officer, Safety Program EHS, Joseph MacLeod, Officer, Safety Program EHS

Jan/16

Fri

10:00AM-11:30AM

N52-496

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/12
Limited to 16 participants

Visit one of MIT's major construction sites to review and discuss construction safety processes and procedures.

Advanced registration required: http://ehs.mit.edu/site/content/iap-course-registration

Sponsor(s): Environment, Health and Safety Office
Contact: Craig Bryer, N52-496, 617-452-3270, cbryer@mit.edu

Sahar Hakim-Hashemi '13

Jan/25

Sun

10:00AM-01:00PM

24-121

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

Creating yourself is about publicly declaring and exercising your values and inner art so that others may see the patterns you’re creating and contribute their energies to this pattern, because they believe in you.

Through case studies we will exemplify people and companies that are creating themselves and are in effect creating us all.

Register for this free workshop.

 

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Sahar Hakim-Hashemi '13

Jan/18

Sun

10:00AM-01:00PM

32-144

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

Creating yourself is about publicly declaring and exercising your values and inner art so that others may see the patterns you’re creating and contribute their energies to this pattern, because they believe in you.

Through case studies we will exemplify people and companies that are creating themselves and are in effect creating us all.

Register for this free workshop.

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Sahar Hakim-Hasemi '13

Feb/01

Sun

10:00AM-01:00PM

32-144

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

Creating yourself is about publicly declaring and exercising your values and inner art so that others may see the patterns you’re creating and contribute their energies to this pattern, because they believe in you. 

Through case studies we will exemplify people and companies that are creating themselves and are in effect creating us all.

This workshop will be lead by Ehsan Afkhami and Sahar Hakim-Hasemi '13.

Register for this free event today!

Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Brendan Griffen, MKI Postdoctoral Fellow

Jan/15

Thu

02:00PM-02:30PM

37-252 Marlar Lounge

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Describing the evolution of the Universe from the Big Bang to what we see today is not an easy undertaking. The advent of powerful parallel computers has created a unique opportunity for astronomers to study the build up of structure over cosmic time. In particular, these machines are now helping us understand when and how galaxies formed. Current models have remarkable success at reproducing the large scale features of our Universe, for example. Although a great deal of our modern understanding of the Universe has come from studying it in this way, current models are still struggling with the details, particularly on small scales. In my talk I will discuss the current state of the art in computational astrophysics, some of the problems in the models and how astronomers are working hard to solve them.

For additional information, please go to the event website.

Sponsor(s): Kavli Institute for Astrophysics
Contact: Debbie Meinbresse, 37-241, 617 253-1456, MEINBRES@MIT.EDU

Ruth Levitsky, Toastmasters@MIT

Jan/24

Sat

10:00AM-12:15PM

3-133

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Prereq: none

 

An experiential workshop correlated to creativity and the 7 Intelligences (first presented in Dr. Howard Gardner’s book Frames of Mind). Presented by Creativity Integrators, this workshop will give you an understanding of the 7 intelligences. It will also provide creative practices that involve all seven intelligences. It is educational, fun and highly experiential. By participating you will learn useful information about yourself and others that you can use to empower your life journey.

Come prepared to speak, think, interact with others, move, learn and have fun!

 

With Creativity Integrators, Cherylle Garnes & Janet Johnson

https://sites.google.com/site/creativityintegrators/

 

 

 

 

Contact: Ruth Levitsky, E18-201C, 617 253-3399, LEVITSKY@MIT.EDU

Paul Gunning, Planning & Guidance Consultant

Jan/14

Wed

12:00PM-01:00PM

W20-307

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

This workshop will help you recognize the importance of managing debt and provide guidance to develop a budget. Learn about steps to improve your financial fitness to help you reach your future goals.

Sponsor(s): MIT Human Resources
Contact: Julienne Dean, E19-215H, 617 253-8979, JULIEK@MIT.EDU

Sahar Hakim-Hashemi '13

Jan/29

Thu

06:00PM-09:00PM

32-144

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

We believe in having a fulfilling life. We believe that we all have something special within to offer to our communities and to the world, we call this your Inner Art. Practice Your Inner Art is a self-discovery workshop that will make you realize what you’re really good at. It’s what you do all the time, mostly without noticing it. We want to help you recognize and practice your inner art to create a fulfilling and personalized professional path. This workshop is based on a set of self-discovery exercises.

Register for this free event.

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Sahar Hakim-Hashemi '13

Jan/22

Thu

06:00PM-09:00PM

56-114

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

We believe in having a fulfilling life. We believe that we all have something special within to offer to our communities and to the world, we call this your Inner Art. Practice Your Inner Art is a self-discovery workshop that will make you realize what you’re really good at. It’s what you do all the time, mostly without noticing it. We want to help you recognize and practice your inner art to create a fulfilling and personalized professional path. This workshop is based on a set of self-discovery exercises.

Register for this free event.

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Sahar Hakim-Hashemi '13

Jan/15

Thu

06:00PM-09:00PM

4-370

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

We believe in having a fulfilling life. We believe that we all have something special within to offer to our communities and to the world, we call this your Inner Art. Practice Your Inner Art is a self-discovery workshop that will make you realize what you're really good at. It's what you do all the time, mostly without noticing it. We want to help you recognize and practice your inner art to create a fulfilling and personalized professional path. This workshop is based on a set of self-discovery exercises.

Register for this free event.

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Michael Labosky, Mitch Galanek, Pam Greenley

Jan/21

Wed

02:00PM-03:30PM

N52-496 Conf. Rm A

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/15

The DLC-EHS Coordinator plays a key role in the EHS-MS (Environment, Health and Safety Management System) and receives authority from the DLC Head to manage the EHS-MS functions within the DLC. This course will examine the specific requirements of the Coordinator position, review the web based Pi/Space registration, training, and level 2 inspection programs including reports, and a discussion with current EHS Coordinators of the skills and techniques ( rep meetings, web page, auto emails) that have proven valuable in meeting the expectation of this role. Participants will be encouraged to share experiences, discuss strengths and examine opportunities to improve delivery of EHS-MS requirements to the DLC.

Register at: http://ehs.mit.edu/site/content/iap-course-registration

Sponsor(s): Environment, Health and Safety Office
Contact: Jessica Van, N52-496, 617 452-3233, JVAN@MIT.EDU

Roy Wattanasin

Jan/23

Fri

01:00PM-02:00PM

1-150, Bring your questions & comments

Enrollment: Limited: First come, first served (no advance sign-up)
Prereq: None, Open To All, Invite your colleagues

Whether you realize it or not, end user cybersecurity plays a major role in everyones' lives: from your siblings to your grandma etc. It affects your family, friends and even your colleagues. It is critical for all to understand how to be safer with today's online threats.

Come to this 1-hour introductory conversation to understand and learn more. Bring your questions to this information security open-ended general session for all. Hear from Roy and Frank Quinn about their thoughts and recommendations regarding the topics below.

(This is designed to be a general session about "end-user information security today" for the MIT community. Feel free to invite your colleagues!)

A. Backing Your Data

B. Administrative Access

C. Operating System (OS) Patching

D. Third-party patching

E. Defenses (Virusscan, Malware, Secunia, defenses etc.)

F. Passwords

G. Wireless Connectivity

H. Questions

Contact: Roy Wattanasin, roywatt@mit.edu

Philip Greenspun

Jan/30

Fri

12:00PM-01:00PM

24-619

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/29
Limited to 25 participants
Prereq: None

Have you ever wondered how a helicopter is controlled? Or wanted a basic understanding of the aerodynamics of helicopters? Would you like to know how to hover, fly, and glide in a helicopter? Are you hungry for pizza? If you can answer yes to all of the foregoing then this class is for you. 

The leader is an MIT graduate from 46 years after the first practical helicopter. He is also an FAA-certificated helicopter instructor at East Coast Aero Club in Bedford, Massachusetts (Hanscom Field) as well as a former regional jet pilot for a Delta Airlines subsidiary

Sponsor(s): Experimental Study Group
Contact: Graham Ramsay, RAMSAY@MIT.EDU

Susan Cohen, Director, Council for the Arts at MIT

Jan/21

Wed

03:00PM-04:30PM

E15-359

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Informal discussion of the CAMIT Grants Program, including the application process and the types of projects eligible for funding.

Sponsor(s): Office of the Arts
Contact: Susan Cohen, E15-205, 617 253-4005, COHEN@MEDIA.MIT.EDU

Paul Schechter, William A M Burden Professor of Astrophysics

Jan/13

Tue

02:30PM-03:00PM

37-252 Marlar Lounge

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

According to Einstein's theory, gravity produces what is, in effect, an index of refraction.  Light passing in the vicinity of an astronomical object will be delayed, deflected and distorted by the variations in this index of refraction, in a manner exactly analogous to terrestrial mirages.  Such cosmic mirages are a major tool for the study of dark matter in galaxies and clusters of galaxies.

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up.

A listing of all IAP activities being offered by MIT's Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research is available here.

Sponsor(s): Kavli Institute for Astrophysics
Contact: Debbie Meinbresse, 37-241, 617 253-1456, MEINBRES@MIT.EDU

Joel Pettigrew

Jan/30

Fri

03:00PM-05:00PM

Lobdell, W20

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Join us to learn some healthy recipes for hors d'oeuvres and party fare, and how to host a charming and entertaining party!  Whether you want to be the life of the party, or are looking for recipes that will impress every guest you invite, this session offers numerous resources for you as you look to host the most charming party possible.

 

***THIS EVENT IS BEING MOVED TO FRIDAY 1/30 AS PART OF CHARM SCHOOL FINALE DUE TO THE INCOMING WINTER STORM.  IT IS CANCELLED FOR 1/26.***

Contact: Joel Pettigrew, W20-549, 617 253-5369, JOELP@MIT.EDU

Mr. Adam Anderson, MIT Kavli Institute

Jan/29

Thu

02:00PM-02:30PM

37-252 Marlar Lounge

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Hunting Dark Matter
Understanding the composition and properties of the matter in the universe is one of the most basic goals of physics, yet we know scandalously little about most of the matter. A concordance of diverse evidence from astrophysics and cosmology suggests that 85% of the matter in the universe is "dark": it is non-electromagnetically interacting and fundamentally different than the familiar matter of atoms that we experience in our day-to-day life. Though the existence and astrophysical properties of dark matter are established, its particle properties are unknown. I will describe the different pieces of evidence that have led to our current understanding of dark matter, culminating in the state-of-the-art direct searches that are probing its particle properties.

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up for this talk.

Sponsor(s): Kavli Institute for Astrophysics
Contact: Debbie Meinbresse, 37-241, 617 253-1456, MEINBRES@MIT.EDU

Vincenzo Pileggi, Development Chef, Clover

Jan/13

Tue

06:30PM-08:00PM

7 Holyoke St Cambrid

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Fee: $10.00 for supplies

In 2014 we taught knife skills to 198 people. In this basic class you’ll learn how to hold a knife, how to cut without hurting yourself, and how to vary your cuts based on what you plan to cook. Recommended before taking Soup Making 101 and Quick Pickling. Class includes a paring knife, access to recipes, and a meal at Clover. 

CloverHSQ, 7 Holyoke St, Cambridge, MA

SOLD OUT. MIT community use this promo code IAP2015 to register at a reduced cost.

Vincenzo Pileggi is Clover’s most senior manager and is the development chef at our flagship restaurant in Kendall Square. He started with Clover in our first year of operation and has run our most busy trucks and our most busy restaurants. Prior to Clover Vincenzo was a chef at the Four Seasons in Boston. Vincenzo holds a Bachelor’s degree from Johnson and Wales University (’06). He's the one responsible for that Japanese Sweet Potato sandwich you may have enjoyed this year.

Ayr Muir left McKinsey to toast frozen burgers at Burger King and warm frozen soup at Panera with visions of the future of (an anti-frozen) Clover. Before Clover Ayr worked at McKinsey and Company (’04-08) advising the CEOs and CMOs of the world’s top consumer and retail companies. Prior to that he worked with Patagonia (’04) on marketing. Ayr holds an MBA from HBS (’04), a Bachelor of Science, and Master of Science from MIT (’00, ’01)

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Vincenzo Pileggi, Development Chef, Clover

Jan/21

Wed

04:00PM-05:30PM

5 Cambridge Center

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Fee: $10.00 for supplies

Ever wanted to make your own pickles at home? Learn how to use local winter vegetables grown by the godfather of farming in Western Mass, Michael Docter. These roots are bright, crisp, organic, and full of flavor. And they get even better after a quick soak in a vinegar solution. We’ll teach you a quick-pickling recipe that you can make (and adapt) in your college kitchen or tiny apartment with just 4 ingredients. Class includes a meal at Clover, access to recipes, and a pint of your own pickled roots to take home.

Clover, 5 Cambridge Center

SOLD OUT: Register today! Promo code: IAP2015

Vincenzo Pileggi is Clover’s most senior manager and is the development chef at our flagship restaurant in Kendall Square. He started with Clover in our first year of operation and has run our most busy trucks and our most busy restaurants. Prior to Clover Vincenzo was a chef at the Four Seasons in Boston. Vincenzo holds a Bachelor’s degree from Johnson and Wales University (’06). He's the one responsible for that Japanese Sweet Potato sandwich you may have enjoyed this year.

Ayr Muir left McKinsey to toast frozen burgers at Burger King and warm frozen soup at Panera with visions of the future of (an anti-frozen) Clover. Before Clover Ayr worked at McKinsey and Company advising the CEOs and CMOs of the world’s top consumer and retail companies. Prior to that he worked with Patagonia on marketing. Ayr holds an MBA from HBS (’04), a Bachelor of Science, and Master of Science from MIT (’00, ’01)

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Vincenzo Pileggi, Development Chef, Clover

Jan/28

Wed

05:30PM-07:00PM

5 Cambridge Center

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Fee: $10.00 for supplies

The best mixologists know that great drinks begin with homemade syrups. Learn how to make 4 signature soda syrups you can use to make homemade drinks, including ginger soda, vanilla soda, and 2 seasonal sodas using winter ingredients. Class includes 4 bottles of soda syrup to take home, access to recipes, and a meal at Clover.

 CloverKND, 5 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA

Register today! MIT community use this promo code IAP2015 to register at a discounted price.

Vincenzo Pileggi is Clover’s most senior manager and is the development chef at our flagship restaurant in Kendall Square. He started with Clover in our first year of operation and has run our most busy trucks and our most busy restaurants. Prior to Clover Vincenzo was a chef at the Four Seasons in Boston. Vincenzo holds a Bachelor’s degree from Johnson and Wales University (’06). He's the one responsible for that Japanese Sweet Potato sandwich you may have enjoyed this year.

Ayr Muir left McKinsey to toast frozen burgers at Burger King and warm frozen soup at Panera with visions of the future of (an anti-frozen) Clover. Before Clover Ayr worked at McKinsey and Company (’04-08) advising the CEOs and CMOs of the world’s top consumer and retail companies. Prior to that he worked with Patagonia (’04) on marketing. Ayr holds an MBA from HBS (’04), a Bachelor of Science, and Master of Science from MIT (’00, ’01)

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Vincenzo Pileggi, Development Chef, Clover

Jan/27

Tue

06:30PM-08:00PM

6 Harvard St. Brookl

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Fee: $10.00 for supplies

Every morning we make soup from scratch at Clover. It’s easy to make beautiful brothy or creamy soups at home. You just have to master 3 basic skills: sautéing vegetables, blending to the correct consistency, and seasoning. We’ll cover all these skills while making two of Clover’s most popular soups, including Creamy African Peanut Soup and Brothy White Bean Kale Soup. Class includes a meal at Clover, access to recipes, and a pint of your own soup to take home. 

Clover, 6 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA

SOLD OUT: Register today! Promo code IAP2015

Vincenzo Pileggi is Clover’s most senior manager and is the development chef at our flagship restaurant in Kendall Square. He started with Clover in our first year of operation and has run our most busy trucks and our most busy restaurants. Prior to Clover Vincenzo was a chef at the Four Seasons in Boston. Vincenzo holds a Bachelor’s degree from Johnson and Wales University (’06). He's the one responsible for that Japanese Sweet Potato sandwich you may have enjoyed this year.

Ayr Muir left McKinsey to toast frozen burgers at Burger King and warm frozen soup at Panera with visions of the future of (an anti-frozen) Clover. Before Clover Ayr worked at McKinsey and Company advising the CEOs and CMOs of the world’s top consumer and retail companies. Prior to that he worked with Patagonia on marketing. Ayr holds an MBA from HBS (’04), a Bachelor of Science, and Master of Science from MIT (’00, ’01)

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Justin holmgren

	Jan/10	Sat	10:15AM-03:00PM	W20 - La Sala
	Jan/24	Sat	10:15AM-03:00PM	Lobby 13

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/08
Attendance: Repeating event, particpants welcome at any session
Prereq: None
Fee: $10.00 for each camp day for student with advanced sign-up; Others $$

The dance camps are taught by greater Boston area professional coaches.  A typical camp day consists of four 45-minute sessions, each one building on the previous one, with breaks in between.  You will expect to learn some basics at beginning and end with a dance routine incorporated with some middle level figures.  Here is the detail:

Saturday, January 10, 2015, American Foxtrot, taught by Jan Ondrias and Vivian Lessa

 Saturday, January 24, 2015, Salsa, taught by Leon Turetsky and Kim Le

The camp day is from 10:15AM to 2:50PM

10:15AM - 10:30AM Registration

10:30AM - 11:15AM Session 1

11:15AM - 11:25AM Break

11:25AM - 12:10PM Session 2

12:10PM - 1:10PM Lunch Break

1:10PM - 1:55PM Session 3

1:55PM - 2:05PM Break

2:05PM - 2:50PM Session 4

Sign-up is now open.  If you are interested in participating, please register at the MIT Ballroom Dance Club web page: http://web.mit.edu/bdclub/ at your earliest convenience.  We will collect the payment at the door, but if you sign up before January 8, 11:59pm for the 1st camp or January 22, 11:59pm for the 2nd camp, you will pay discounted rate.

Contact: MIT Ballroom Dance Club Officers, bdc-officers@mit.edu

Paul Gunning, Planning and Guidance Consultant

Jan/20

Tue

12:00PM-01:00PM

W20-307

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Attend this workshop to learn about the importance of monitoring your portfolio, including how to evaluate your current approach.  Discover how to rebalance your investments to better meet your savings goals.

Sponsor(s): MIT Human Resources
Contact: Julienne Dean, E19-215H, 617 253-8979, JULIEK@MIT.EDU

Kristin McCoy, Nicole Darvirris

Jan/13

Tue

10:00AM-11:00AM

Bush Room

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/09

Come hear what different generations have to say about how life experiences shaped how they interact with colleagues in the work place. Ex. What motivates you?  How do you work in a team?  What is your management style/how do you prefer to be managed?

We will have a representative from each generation; Traditionalist, Baby Boomer, Gen-Xer and a Millennial.  They will each discuss what it is like for them to work in the MIT environment and what challenges they face by identifying with their generation.

 

Please RSVP:http://whoozin.com/YYV-7HH-7CV6

Contact: Kristin McCoy, 7-139, 617 258-5448, KMCCOY@MIT.EDU

Gaurav Singh

Jan/16

Fri

12:17PM-01:17PM

Kresge

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/15

The MIT Mystery Hunt is an annual puzzle hunt competition occurring over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. This year, kickoff will be at 12:17 pm on January 16th, in Kresge Auditorium. The hunt challenges each participating team to solve a large number of puzzles which lead to an object (called a "coin") hidden somewhere on campus. The winning team gets to write the subsequent year's hunt. We are supported by the UA Finboard, and the Large Events Fund.

More information, and information for how to register, can be found at web.mit.edu/puzzle.

Sponsor(s): Mystery Hunt
Contact: MIT Mystery Hunt, puzzle@mit.edu

Dr. Victoria Grinberg, Postdoctoral Associate, MIT Kavli Institute

Jan/22

Thu

02:00PM-02:30PM

37-252 Marlar Lounge

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Black holes are perhaps the most mind-boggling objects ever conceived by physicists and there is hardly any science fiction series today that will not feature them in some capacity. However, black holes are also very much observable and one of the major topics of today's X-ray astronomy.

In this talk I will give a very short overview of what black holes are, where we find astrophysical black holes, why we need X-ray astronomy and thus satellite-based telescopes such as Chandra to observe black holes, and  how observations of both, supermassive black holes in the centers of galaxies and the "small" black holes of only a few solar masses in binary star systems, improve our understanding of the physics of our universe.

Please note:  In order to attend the tour of the Polarimetry Lab, you must attend this talk.  Tour limited to 20 people.  Sign up sheet available at 1:55pm in 37-252.

Sponsor(s): Kavli Institute for Astrophysics
Contact: Debbie Meinbresse, 37-241, 617 253-1456, MEINBRES@MIT.EDU

Virgile Galle, Mallory Sheth, John Silberholz

Jan/28

Wed

10:00AM-03:00PM

E25-111

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

The OR Center participates in MIT's Independent Activities Period (IAP) by offering informational seminars focusing on the OR Center and on current research and the practice of OR.

Date: Wednesday, January 28th
Time: 10:00am-3:00pm 
Place: E25-111

Description: Social networks have grown in scale and popularity in recent years, with several social networks boasting more than one billion registered users. The MIT Operations Research Center has organized a day-long seminar on the role of social networks in operations research, exploring how data from these networks can be used to make decisions or to understand social phenomena. Four speakers, including those from both industry and academic settings, will present their work and experience on topics ranging from marketing to studying social response to disease outbreaks.

Schedule:

9:30am - 10:00am - Intro and Continental Breakfast 

10:00am - 11:00am - Aykut Firat: Surfacing Patterns in Social Data

11:00am - 12:00pm - Jiwoong Shin: Managing Buzz

12:00pm - 1:00pm - Lunch Break (lunch will not be provided)

1:00pm - 2:00pm - Tauhid Zaman: Optimizing the Timing of Content in Online Social Networks

2:00pm - 3:00pm - Natasha Markuzon: Interplay between Social Response and Disease Spread: Panic, Behavior Changes, and Disease Containment

More detals at http://www.mit.edu/~orc/seminars/iap.html

Sponsor(s): Operations Research Center
Contact: Virgile Galle, vgalle@mit.edu

Benefits Office Staff

Jan/06

Tue

12:00PM-01:00PM

W20-307

Enrollment: Limited: First come, first served (no advance sign-up)

Learn about the features of MIT's Retirement Plans in this workshop presented by a member of the MIT Benefits Office.

Sponsor(s): MIT Human Resources
Contact: Julienne Dean, E19-215H, 617 253-8979, JULIEK@MIT.EDU

Michael Mak (makm@mit.edu), Postdoctoral Associate, Fabian Spill (fspill@mit.edu), Postdoctoral Associate

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/05
Limited to 35 participants
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions

Random forces appear in many seemingly disparate fields, from physics and biology to finance and economics.  This course introduces some of the fundamental mathematical tools used to describe the underlying stochastic processes that drive biology and finance.  A quantitative approach will be taken to illustrate how stochasticity plays a central role in generating the complex patterns we observe across many scales, including basic examples such as random walks of cells and molecules and elementary derivative pricing.  We will focus on key principles and allude to how understanding one of these systems may provide insights towards the other.  Basic knowledge of math and differential equations would be useful (as well as knowledge of some mathematical software such as Matlab or Mathematica).  Bring your laptop, preferably preinstalled with Matlab or Mathematica.  

 

Please email makm@mit.edu or fspill@mit.edu to register.

Contact: Michael Mak, makm@mit.edu

---

Schedule

	Jan/06	Tue	11:00AM-12:00PM	NE47-342, Bring your laptop
	Jan/07	Wed	01:00PM-02:00PM	NE47-342, Bring your laptop
	Jan/13	Tue	01:00PM-02:00PM	NE47-342, Bring your laptop
	Jan/14	Wed	01:00PM-02:00PM	NE47-342, Bring your laptop

Lecture and interactive activities.

Stephen Skuce, Program Manager for Rare Books

	Jan/09	Fri	10:30AM-11:00AM	14N-118, Sign up: http://libcal.mit.edu/event.php?id=851651
	Jan/09	Fri	11:15AM-11:45AM	14N-118, Sign up: http://libcal.mit.edu/event.php?id=851654

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/07
Limited to 12 participants
Attendance: Repeating event, particpants welcome at any session
Prereq: none

Tired of boring first dates? Spend a few minutes with a number of fascinating types (and typefaces) from the rare book collections in the Institute Archives and Special Collections. Some are lavishly illustrated while others have hidden charms, but they're all very attractive and look great for their age. Library staff members will provide discreet introductions in rapid succession. If you feel a spark, you'll be welcome to return and become more familiar with any volumes that you’d really like to spend more time with. (Note to those who attended last year: this year's selection is almost entirely new.)

Please register for one session:

10:30am-11:00am: http://libcal.mit.edu/event.php?id=851651

11:15 am-11:45 am: http://libcal.mit.edu/event.php?id=851654

Sponsor(s): Libraries
Contact: Stephen Skuce, 14N-118, 617-253-0654, skuce@mit.edu

Helen Bailey, Digital Curation Analyst, Sean Thomas, Program Manager for Scholarly Repository Services

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions

This two-part course provides an introduction to information visualization that takes you beyond the basics of traditional spreadsheet and presentation graphics. Participants will learn how to use free, open-source tools for data refinement that combine the reporting and manipulation power of databases with the ease of use of spreadsheet applications.

Session One: Introduction & Overview
Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, 10:30am-12:00pm
14N-132 (DIRC)

This introductory session will provide an overview of concepts and tools for data refinement and visualization. Attendees will be introduced to web-based, open-source tools that provide beginner and intermediate users with richer functionality than traditional desktop spreadsheet and graphics software. Topics will include use cases and tool selection, data processing workflows, and principles for creating effective visualizations.

Register for session one: http://libcal.mit.edu/event.php?id=849726

Session Two: Hands-on Workshop
Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, 10:30am-12:30pm
14N-132 (DIRC)

This hands-on workshop will walk participants through a step-by-step process of refining and visualizing a sample data set. Students will learn tricks for using Open Refine, preparing data for use in web-based visualization tools, and modifying JavaScript code to customize D3.JS visualizations. Previous experience with HTML, JavaScript, or scripting languages is not necessary but will be helpful.

Register for session two: http://libcal.mit.edu/event.php?id=849728

Sponsor(s): Libraries
Contact: Helen Bailey, E25-131, 617 324-4493, HBAILEY@MIT.EDU

Douglas Sweetser '84

Jan/23

Fri

03:00PM-05:00PM

32-124

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

This is a new project. The stretch goal is to make the unreachable algebra that drives mathematical physics into a game that can be played on a phone ("So that is what it means to get a hydrogen atom 'excited'"). A sense of what equations are key to relativistic QFT will be sketched (no quizzes). I will explain its odd starting position using the quaternion group Q8 and avoiding the real number line. Stories of battles between the blender game engine and python will be shared. We will put on 3D glasses and look at a few simple things.

Doug Sweetser '84
Course 7 and Course 10

Register online

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Abraham Neben

Jan/14

Wed

02:30PM-03:00PM

37-252 Marlar Lounge

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Radio astronomy has been a crucial probe of the early universe since the discovery of the Cosmic Microwave Background in 1964. But most of the first billion years, during which the modern universe emerged out of a nearly homogenous soup of hydrogen, has remained hidden. I’ll discuss a new generation of radio telescopes just beginning to reveal the first stars and galaxies which are thought to have re-ionized the neutral hydrogen left over from the Big Bang. Using the Murchison Widefield Array in the remote Australian desert, we have begun to sift through Petabytes of data for hints of this theoretical Epoch of Reionization.

For additional information, please go to the event website.

Sponsor(s): Kavli Institute for Astrophysics
Contact: Debbie Meinbresse, 37-241, 617 253-1456, MEINBRES@MIT.EDU

Vazrik Chiloyan, Brian Neltner

	Jan/05	Mon	05:00PM-07:00PM	du Pont Multicourt 1
	Jan/07	Wed	05:00PM-07:00PM	du Pont Multicourt 1
	Jan/09	Fri	05:00PM-07:00PM	duPont T-Club Lounge
	Jan/12	Mon	05:00PM-07:00PM	du Pont Multicourt 1
	Jan/14	Wed	05:00PM-07:00PM	du Pont Multicourt 1
	Jan/16	Fri	05:00PM-07:00PM	duPont T-Club Lounge
	Jan/19	Mon	05:00PM-07:00PM	du Pont Multicourt 1
	Jan/21	Wed	05:00PM-07:00PM	du Pont Multicourt 1
	Jan/23	Fri	05:00PM-07:00PM	duPont T-Club Lounge
	Jan/26	Mon	05:00PM-07:00PM	du Pont Multicourt 1
	Jan/28	Wed	05:00PM-07:00PM	du Pont Multicourt 1
	Jan/30	Fri	05:00PM-07:00PM	duPont T-Club Lounge

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Repeating event, particpants welcome at any session
Fee: $45.00 for equipment

"Shotokan through Yellow Belt" is an intensive course designed to introduce new students to Shotokan Karate by giving them the skills to reach yellow belt in one month. The course is $45, with the first week free as a trial, and will include a free uniform, tournament quality sparring gear, and our club T-shirt. Practice is on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5-7 starting on January 5th. For more information, contact Shotokan-karate-officers@mit.edu or visit our website.

 

 

 

Sponsor(s): Shotokan Karate Club
Contact: Cortni Dick, CDICK@MIT.EDU

Karen Boiko, Lecturer II, Marilyn Levine, Leturer II

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Sign-up by 01/18
Limited to 15 participants
Attendance: Participants must attend all sessions
Prereq: none

Do you lack confidence as a speaker? Have you struggled through presentations in your classes?  This workshop is for you.

We will meet for 3 two-hour sessions to explore the features of a great oral presentation, as well as the physiology and kinetics of confidence.  Throughout the workshop, we'll examine ways to make public speaking, on any topic, easier and more natural. The workshop will include instruction, group exercises, homework (just a little!) practice, and individual coaching, culminating in one or more brief presentations. The emphasis will be on crafting a talk, developing strategies for both remembering what to say and making the ideas memorable for the audience, and delivering the talk with confidence.  Note: This workshop will not include designing or using slides.

We will meet in E39-335, 10:00 a.m.-noon each day

Tuesday Jan 20

Wednesday Jan 21

Thursday  Jan 22  

Sponsor(s): Writing and Communication Center, Comparative Media Studies/Writing
Contact: Marilyn Levine, E39-115B, 617-253-3090, maynew@mit.edu

Kitty Huang, Copywriter, screenwriter, journalist and teacher

Enrollment: Limited: Advance sign-up required
Limited to 10 participants
Attendance: Participants are urged to attend all sessions, although it's not mandatory.

Speechcraft programs are short courses in public speaking that are offered by Toastmasters International for people not wishing to make the full commitment to join a Club.

How does this program work?

Class One: Introduction & Organize Your Thoughts

Objectives:Learn the skills to organize speech content. Arrange thoughts into a logical sequence that leads the audience to a clearly defined goal. Understand the practical use of speech communication and introduce the techniques in speech communications.

Class Two: Deliver Effective Presentations & First Speech

Objectives: Begin speaking before an audience. Benefit from evaluation to improve speaking skills. Start with self-introduction. Introduce a speaker effectively.

Class Three: Polish Communication Skills & Get to the Point

Objectives: Build a speech outline that includes opening, body, and conclusion. Select a speech topic and determine its general and specific purposes. Organize the speech in a manner that best achieves those purposes. Ensure the opening, body, and conclusion reinforces the purposes.

Class Four: Be an Influential Speaker & Your Body Speak

Objectives: Learn listening and speaking techniques. Use gestures and body movements as part of the speech delivery. Explore different ways to use body language. Develop a natural and smooth body movement. 

*Participants who attend all sessions will receive a Toastmaster's certificate.

Sponsor(s): Toastmasters@MIT
Contact: Keesler Welch, E53-307, 617-324-7174, KEESLER@MIT.EDU

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Introduction & Organize Your Thoughts

Jan/07

Wed

06:30PM-08:30PM

E51 - TBD

Kitty Huang - Copywriter, screenwriter, journalist and teacher, Keesler Welch - Administration, The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab

---

Deliver Effective Presentation

Jan/14

Wed

06:30PM-08:30PM

E51 - TBD

Kitty Huang - Copywriter, screenwriter, journalist and teacher, Keesler Welch - Administration, The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab

---

Polish Skills & Get to the Point

Jan/21

Wed

06:30PM-08:30PM

E51 - TBD

Keesler Welch - Administration, The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, Kitty Huang - Copywriter, screenwriter, journalist and teacher

---

Influential Speaker & Your Body Speaks

Jan/28

Wed

06:30PM-08:30PM

E51 - TBD

Kitty Huang - Copywriter, screenwriter, journalist and teacher, Keesler Welch - Administration, The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab

Sophie Mori, Taylor Sutton

Jan/20

Tue

08:00PM-11:59PM

56, 1st floor

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Splash for Us is a one-evening IAP event where MIT students present classes about anything they want. Come to teach or learn or both, and explore a variety of unusual, entertaining, and edifying topics!

Where: First floor, Building 56
What: Teach anything, learn anything! By MIT students, for MIT students!
When: January 20, 2014. 8:00pm-11:59pm.
How: If you want to learn, just show up whenever you want! We plan to serve pizza and other snacks while supplies last.

What classes will be taught? As classes are scheduled, you'll be able to see them here to see an up-to-date schedule of the classes that will be taught at Splash for Us.

Teaching?
Interested in teaching? Visit here to sign up to teach a you want to teach a class for Splash for Us. Classes will be scheduled on a first-come first-serve basis until classroom space is filled up.

If you don't want to teach a long class, you can also sign up to teach a 5-minute lecture during "Firestorm", our series of short lightning lectures. You can decide to teach during Splash for Us, but if you know in advance you want to do a Firestorm class, you can sign up here.

Sponsor(s): Educational Studies Program
Contact: Taylor Sutton & Sophie Mori, splash-for-us@mit.edu

John Tirman, Executive Director, Center for International Studies

Jan/30

Fri

12:00PM-01:30PM

E40-496, Lucian Pye Conf Rm

Enrollment: Limited: First come, first served (no advance sign-up)
Limited to 50 participants

"A Forgotten Crime"   (Elli Safari, Remmelt Lukkien, The Netherlands, 2014, color)

 

Film screening and discussion with John Tirman, executive director and principal research scientist, MIT Center for International Studies. Author of Deaths of Others, and many other books and publications.

 

During the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) Saddam Hussein bombarded Iran with chemical weapons, while the world looked on without interfering. In "A Forgotten Crime" political and military leaders, medical experts and contaminated people relate how this drama was experienced in isolated Iran. The film irresistibly drags the viewer into the ever increasing humanitarian, military and political drama of this chemical warfare, which has determined Iran’s position in the international political arena until this very day. Former UN Secretary General Perez de Cuellar and Joost Hiltermann, author of A Poisonous Affair provide additional information. Contains unique archive material. Mostly filmed in Iran. - See more at: http://www.idfa.nl/industry/tags/project.aspx?id=2958897d-386d-4dbf-9b60-d1b4e37ca0fd&tab=dfs#sthash.7Hq3K5Ff.dpuf

 

Light refreshments will be served.

Sponsor(s): Center for International Studies
Contact: Michelle Nhuch, starrforum@mit.edu

John Tirman, Executive Director, CIS

Jan/23

Fri

12:00PM-02:00PM

E40-496, Lucian Pye Conf Rm

Enrollment: Limited: First come, first served (no advance sign-up)
Limited to 50 participants

"Hearts and Minds"  (Peter Davis, USA. 1974)

Film screening and discussion with John Tirman, executive director and principal research scientist, MIT Center for International Studies. Author of Deaths of Others, and many other books and publications.

Hearts and Minds is a documentary film about the Vietnam War. The film's title is based on a quote from President Lyndon B. Johnson: "the ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live out there".  The movie was chosen as Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 47th Academy Awards presented in 1975.

The film premiered at the 1974 Cannes Film Festival.

Light refreshments will be served.

Sponsor(s): Center for International Studies
Contact: Michelle Nhuch, starrforum@mit.edu

Anna Frebel, Silverman (1968) Family Career Development Assistant Profess

Jan/13

Tue

02:00PM-02:30PM

37-252 Marlar Lounge

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

The early chemical evolution of the Galaxy and the Universe is vital to our understanding of a host of astrophysical phenomena. Since the oldest Galactic stars are relics from the high-redshift Universe, they probe the chemical and dynamical conditions of a time when large galaxies first began to assemble. Through analysis of their surface composition, they probe the chemical and dynamical conditions as the Milky Way began to form, the origin and evolution of the elements, and the physics of nucleosynthesis. Some of these stars display a strong overabundance of the heaviest elements, in particular uranium and thorium. They can thus be radioactively dated, giving formation times ~ 13 Gyr ago, similar to the ~ 13.7 Gyr age of the Universe. In addition to talking about the science results, I will show a few video clips about observing with the 6.5m optical Magellan telescopes in the Atacama Desert in Chile.

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up.

A complete listing of all IAP activities being offered by MIT's Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research is available here.

Sponsor(s): Kavli Institute for Astrophysics
Contact: Debbie Meinbresse, 37-241, 617 253-1456, MEINBRES@MIT.EDU

Alexander Ji

Jan/14

Wed

02:00PM-02:30PM

37-252 Marlar Lounge

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

The very first stars to form in the universe are fundamentally different from all subsequent generations of stars. Want to find out why? Come listen to this talk!

Contact: Debbie Meinbresse, 37-241, 617 253-1456, MEINBRES@MIT.EDU

Dr. Federico Marinacci, MKI Postdoctoral Fellow

Jan/29

Thu

02:30PM-03:00PM

37-252 Marlar Lounge

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

Numerical simulations are a fundamental tool in Theoretical Astrophysics to understand how the objects that populate our Universe formed and evolved. In this talk I am going to present the results of the Illustris simulation, one of the largest cosmological simulations ever performed, that follows the evolution of the Universe from the Big Bang to the present day. In particular, I will give a brief illustration of our current view on how galaxies are formed and what are the most important processes that shape their evolution.

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up.

Sponsor(s): Kavli Institute for Astrophysics
Contact: Debbie Meinbresse, 37-241, 617 253-1456, MEINBRES@MIT.EDU

Dr. Herman Marshall, Principal Research Scientist, MIT Kavli Institute

Jan/22

Thu

02:30PM-03:00PM

37-252 Marlar Lounge

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

The stellar binary SS 433 was once featured on Saturday Night Live as the "comin' and a-goin' star". By means that are still somewhat mysterious, the system ejects blobs of plasma in opposite directions at a speed of about a quarter of the speed of light. The compact object that is responsible for providing the impetus for this plasma is probably a black hole about 10 times the mass of the Sun. I show what we've come to understand about the system and its jets such as how their directions trace out twin cones on the sky. X-ray spectroscopy, using the Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer that were built here at MIT, shows that the plasma temperature reaches at least 100 billion degrees and can be used to measure the density and location of the outflows we call jets.

 

Please note: to attend the tour of the Polarimetry Lab, you must attend this talk as well as the 2:00 pm talk "Observing Black Holes".  Lab tour limited to 20 people.  Sign up sheet available at 1:55 in 37-252.

Sponsor(s): Kavli Institute for Astrophysics
Contact: Debbie Meinbresse, 37-241, 617 253-1456, MEINBRES@MIT.EDU

Sahar Hakim-Hashemi '13

Jan/31

Sat

10:00AM-01:00PM

56-154

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

Our values are at the heart of living a fulfilled life. When we practice our values we’re happier, we contribute to our communities and other people’s lives in a meaningful way. This happiness leads to commitment, which leads back to more practice, practice, and practice.
 
In this workshop you’ll develop self-awareness and become more familiar with what your values really are.

Register for this free workshop.

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Sahar Hakim-Hashemi '13

Jan/24

Sat

10:00AM-01:00PM

4-237

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

Our values are at the heart of living a fulfilled life. When we practice our values we’re happier, we contribute to our communities and other people’s lives in a meaningful way. This happiness leads to commitment, which leads back to more practice, practice, and practice.
 
In this workshop you'll develop self-awareness and become more familiar with what your values really are.

Register for this free workshop.

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Sahar Hakim-Hashemi '13

Jan/17

Sat

10:00AM-01:00PM

32-124

Enrollment: Unlimited: Advance sign-up required

Our values are at the heart of living a fulfilled life. When we practice our values we’re happier, we contribute to our communities and other people’s lives in a meaningful way. This happiness leads to commitment, which leads back to more practice, practice, and practice.
 
In this workshop you'll develop self-awareness and become more familiar with what your values really are.

Register for this free workshop.

Sponsor(s): Alumni Association
Contact: Elena Byrne, W98-206C, 617 252-1143, EBYRNE@MIT.EDU

Paul Gunning, Planning & Guidance Consultant

Jan/22

Thu

12:00PM-01:30PM

W20-307

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up

In this workshhop you will learn about:

• How much higher education might cost and ways to pay for it
• The differences between the various savings plan options
• How federal tax laws affect college savings and the MEFA U.Fund College Investing Plan or your 529 plan, in particular

Sponsor(s): MIT Human Resources
Contact: Julienne Dean, E19-215H, 617 253-8979, JULIEK@MIT.EDU