Schedule of Events

Water Distribution and Justice: Just not enough or not just enough?

Water distribution under climate change with Iris Stewart-Frey, Environmental Studies and Sciences

4:45–5:45 p.m.  |  Virtual

Iris Stewart-Frey discusses case studies on the equity of sharing water resources in California as they grow scarce and demand grows. How can we think about equity and what are potential solutions? This lecture is offered virtually as part of tUrn5, the 5th Climate Crisis Awareness & Action week at SCU and around the world.

Science and Ethics: The Ethics of Booster Vaccines

2–3 p.m.  |  SCDI 1302

Join Craig Stephens, Sanfilippo Family Professor, Biology and Chair, Public Health, in conversation with H. Westley Clark, Dean’s Executive Professor, Public Health; Lawrence Nelson, Professor, Philosophy, and Katherine “Kat” Saxton, Associate Professor, Biology and Public Health and Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, for a discussion of the science and ethics of COVID booster vaccination. Should we be pursuing additional doses for the already-vaccinated while many remain unvaccinated?

Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship Faculty Mixer 

4–5 p.m.  |  SCDI 4008

Open to all SCU faculty

Join staff at Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship to learn more about the global social entrepreneurship movement, and student fellowships providing action research with social enterprises on the front lines of poverty eradication and sustainable development in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

STEM Student Mixer 

4:30–6:30 p.m.  |  SCDI Sordello Family Courtyard

Open to all STEM students

DJ! Games! Activities! Food! Don’t miss this outdoor party with fellow STEM students, the School of Engineering, and the College of Arts and Sciences celebrating the opening of the SCDI.

Building the Future We Desire: Crossing Boundaries & Challenging Historical Ideas of Sustainability

11–11:45 a.m.  |  Virtual

This virtual session challenges us to grapple with historical injustices in our institutions' foundations on indigenous lands. Part of the AASHE Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education for which SCU is a Host Institution.

STEM Career Fair

Noon–4 p.m.  |  Virtual

Connect with employers at this virtual fair targeted towards SCU students and alumni interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

Building a Climate Movement Within a Field

2–2:45 p.m.  |  Virtual

This session will describe successes, strategies, and next steps in building a climate movement within one's field. Part of the AASHE Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education for which SCU is a Host Institution.

Hands-on Demo: SCU’s Ag Rover

2–4 p.m.  |  Josh and Chelsea Freeman Robotics Systems Lab, SDCI 1205

Visitors can interact with the Ag Rover, an adjustable-width chassis with a variety of autonomous navigation modes being developed for a range of in-field agricultural tasks from transplanting to spraying. Track the interaction on a big screen and watch a video of the Ag Rover in action in the field!

Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship STEM Informational Session

3–4 p.m.  |  Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, SCDI 4008

Join staff at Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship to learn more about STEM and the global social entrepreneurship movement, including student fellowships providing action research with social enterprises on the front lines of poverty eradication and sustainable development in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Technical Talk: International spectrum regulation and management and the work of the ITU by guest lecturer, Joanne C. Wilson 

4–5 p.m.  |  SCDI 1302

Joanne Wilson is an electrical engineer with more than 30 years of professional experience in telecommunications, including more than 25 years of involvement in the work of the Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R). Ms. Wilson is currently the Deputy to the Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) and Chief of its Informatics, Administration, and Publications (IAP) Department. She has also advised and represented the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and served as an elected member of the 2015-2018 Radio Regulations Board (RRB), including as its 2018 Vice Chairman. Ms. Wilson was also the Special Assistant to Ambassador S. Decker Anstrom, Head of the United States Delegation to the WRC-12.

STEM Faculty/Staff Reception and Lightning Talks 

4:30–6:30 p.m.  |  SCDI Board of Fellows North Lobby and Finocchio Family Innovation Lounge

Open to STEM faculty and staff

Join the School of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences STEM faculty and staff at a reception with lightning talks spotlighting:

• Emre Araci (Biowearables)
• Maya Ackerman (Bias in Venture Capital)
• Prashanth Asuri (Bioinnovation and Collaboration)
• Maryam Khanbaghi (Power and Energy)
• Virginia Matzek (Environmental Studies and Sciences)
• Brody Sandel (Biology)
• Korin Wheeler (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
• Michelle McCully (Biology)

Miller Center Student Open House 

5–6 p.m.  |  Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, SCDI 4008

Open to Miller Center fellows, interns, and invited guests

Hands-on Demo: SCU’s Ag Rover

2–4 p.m.  |  Josh and Chelsea Freeman Robotics Systems Lab, SDCI 1205

Visitors can interact with the Ag Rover, an adjustable-width chassis with a variety of autonomous navigation modes being developed for a range of in-field agricultural tasks from transplanting to spraying. Track the interaction on a big screen and watch video of the Ag Rover in action in the field!

Guest Lecture: National and Global Perspectives on Achieving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEM by Joanne C. Wilson

5 p.m.  |  SCDI Lecture Hall 1302 

In this lecture, Ms. Wilson will draw on more than 35 years of professional experience climbing the career ladder as an African American woman and electrical engineer in the U.S. and global telecommunications industry. Her lecture will follow the very popular talk she gave in the UN General Assembly Hall at the 5th International Day of Women and Girls in Science, reflecting on both personal experience and national research on effective DEI programs and strategies. Ms. Wilson will challenge the audience to think about DEI from both a national and global perspective, and to consider the roles of both institutions and individuals in achieving greater diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM fields.

The International Telecommunication Union has taken up the challenge of promoting gender equality, equity and parity in its various activities, meetings and conferences, particularly in its Radiocommunication Sector. Ms. Wilson will introduce the audience to the ITU and the impact of its work on everyone’s life every day, along with sharing its gender strategies and initiatives. Finally, she will offer some career advice to students and anyone looking to successfully navigate a STEM career.

SCDI Campus Celebration

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.  |  SCDI Northwest Entrance

Stop by the SCDI on your way to class or lunch to pick up treats, take a selfie, or explore the Bird Innovation Zone (formerly known as the Maker Lab). You won’t want to miss it as the campus celebrates the opening of this new 270,000 square foot interdisciplinary STEM facility.

SCDI Dedication and Reception

5 p.m.  |  SCDI Sordello Family Courtyard

The capstone of the SCDI Celebration Week, join the Sobrato family, students, faculty members, staff members, University administrators, donors, and other members of the extended Santa Clara family for a brief dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a tour of the building and reception. Be present for this milestone in Santa Clara University’s history.