What we’re about
Our Cosmos is a science advocacy group whose purpose is to promote community engagement and interest in all aspects of the Cosmos and to foster intellectual curiosity. Activities include exploring the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM), environmental science and medicine. Although originally oriented more toward the hard sciences, we now have expanded our focus to include science-related social issues such as public health, conservation, and the environment. Our Cosmos strives to bring attention to information, people, and organizations that will advance knowledge, benefit society and improve the way we live. It was inspired by the world renowned late astronomer and science popularizer, Dr. Carl Sagan.
The primary focus is through an edutainment (education and entertainment) platform; e.g. stage venues, lectures, hands-on exhibits, and tours of geological/archaeological/astronomical/other sites.
Most in-person activities are centered in the Orange County/Los Angeles greater metropolitan areas. This Meetup was designed to create a real, face-to-face community. Friends and family are always invited except for certain events due to space limitation. Our Platform involves meeting real people and doing real things in the real world.
Since the start of the pandemic in 2020 we have been presenting a wide array of webinars, talks, and other online events from all over the world. There is a rich and diverse range of offerings online and we will continue to present these to you.
Having said that, the focus of the group remains in-person events.
We encourage our members to contact us with ideas for events!
One Last Thing!
The goal is for each event to be interesting and memorable for everyone. Some events require reserving places for those who have RSVP'd or meeting at a specific place so that we all go as a group. If you are signed up and do not show up, you are a No-Show. If this is a habit, you may be blocked from signing up for some events or even removed from the group. Generally we only allow two or three No-Shows before doing this. We ask that you please be responsible and communicative so the rest of the group does not end up waiting for you when you aren't coming. No-Shows include last-minute cancellations for events with waiting lists.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- The Science Behind Mental Illness [Free Webinar]Link visible for attendees
Online webinar by Mindspring Mental Health Alliance
https://www.mindspringhealth.org/Date & Time: Tuesday, July 22 · 10 - 11am PDT
Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-science-behind-mental-illness-free-webinar-tickets-1415843198119Note: If you register you will receive a link to the video the day after the webinar.
About this event:
Diagnosing mental illness isn't like diagnosing other chronic diseases. Are mental health disorders best understood as physical illnesses that affect the brain? Or do these disorders belong in a category all their own? Explore the causes, treatment, and prevention of mental illness in this one-hour seminar sponsored by United Way of Central Iowa.
Fine print: Certificates of attendance are provided at no cost. CEUs are not provided. Everyone who registers will receive the webinar recording 24 hours after the live event.Meet the Instructor: Jaymi Dormaier is a Licensed Master Social Worker with 10+ years of experience in the mental health field. In Jaymi's career as a social worker and therapist, she has worked with diverse populations focusing on anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, foster care, adoption, homelessness, and addiction. She is passionate about helping others live a life they love.
Meet the Instructor: Jaymi Dormaier is a Licensed Master Social Worker with 10+ years of experience in the mental health field. In Jaymi's career as a social worker and therapist, she has worked with diverse populations focusing on anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, foster care, adoption, homelessness, and addiction. She is passionate about helping others live a life they love.
- Hybrid: The Promise and Peril of CRISPRBeckman Center of the National Academies of Sciences & Engineering, Irvine, CA
Hybrid Event by Distinctive Voices
Date and time: Wednesday, August 13 · 7pm PDTLocation: Beckman Center
100 Academy Way Irvine, CA 92617Free but you must register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-promise-and-peril-of-crispr-tickets-1458764757659
About this event
Scientists and genetic engineers are becoming increasingly adept at editing the human genome. How far can—and should—they go in editing future generations? This talk will explore the moral, ethical, and policy challenges posed by CRISPR technology.»Neal Baer, Lecturer on Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Baer is a physician, author, and award-winning showrunner and television writer/producer who is a passionate public health advocate and uses media to tell impactful stories related to medicine, public health, and social and scientific issues. Some of his media credits include serving as a Writer and Executive Producer on the George Foster Peabody Award- and Emmy Award-winning series ER (1994-2000) and Executive Producer and Showrunner on A Gifted Man (2011-2012), Under the Dome (2013-2015), Designated Survivor (2019), and Baking Impossible. He was the Executive Producer and Showrunner of the NBC television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit from 2000 to 2011, a period during which the series won multiple awards including six Emmy awards and a Golden Globe.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) are committed to the principles of diversity, integrity, civility, and respect in all of our activities. We look to you to be a partner in this commitment by helping us to maintain a professional and cordial environment. All forms of discrimination, harassment, and bullying are prohibited in any NASEM activity. This commitment applies to all participants in all settings and locations in which NASEM work and activities are conducted, including committee meetings, workshops, conferences, and other work and social functions where employees, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, or guests are present.
![The Science Behind Mental Illness [Free Webinar] cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/0/3/2/event_528616434.webp "The Science Behind Mental Illness [Free Webinar]")
