PRINCETON, NJ Restaurant Dining Guide Announcement

The History of Science Series at Princeton Public Library March 3 - April 24

The History of Science series, featuring programs that explore some of the biggest scientific discoveries of the past, current projects that are advancing our understanding of the universe and more will be presented March 3 through April 24 at Princeton Public Library.

“We are excited to announce this series,” said Hannah Schmidl, humanities programs development coordinator and NEH fellow at Princeton Public Library. “There are events for every interest, whether you’d like to attend a film screening and discussion, hear from authors about local history, bring your kids to a reading and activities, take part in a book discussion, or listen to a conversation with renowned scientists from our own community. We hope you’ll join us to learn more about some fascinating topics.”

The History of Science series is presented with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Programs include:

Thursday, March 3, 7 p.m.

Film and Q&A: “Particle Fever”

The 2013 documentary tells the story of the first experiments at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, follows the journey of the scientists involved in the project and offers a look into one of the most exciting physics discoveries of our time. 1 hour, 39 minutes.

Following the screening, Christopher Tully, professor of physics at Princeton University, will comment on the film and take part in a Q&A. Tully has conducted research at CERN for over 25 years and was a member of the team that discovered the Higgs boson. He will also speak about potential evidence for a new particle reported last December with the latest 13 TeV data. Tully is also author of the textbook “Elementary Particle Physics in a Nutshell” and co-author of “100 Years of Subatomic Physics.” Community Room

Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.

Freeman Dyson in Conversation with Nima Arkani-Hamed

Freeman Dyson, renowned physicist and retired professor at the Institute for Advanced Study, will be joined in conversation by Nima Arkani-Hamed, theoretical physicist at the Institute for Advanced Study. This conversation between two remarkable scientific minds will center on how science has changed between the 1940s and today. Community Room

Thursday, March 10, 7 p.m.

The Brief Life and Exciting Times of Vulcan – the Planet that Wasn’t There

Thomas Levenson, professor of science writing at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, discusses and signs copies of his book  "The Hunt for Vulcan ...  And How Albert Einstein Destroyed a Planet, Discovered Relativity, and Deciphered the Universe." The planet Vulcan first appeared in our solar system in 1859 as the only sensible explanation for Mercury's misbehavior. It disappeared for good in 1915, banished from reality by Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.  In between, its story is one of perfectly sound science, vaulting ambition and persistent self-deception ? adding up to a cautionary tale about how science actually works. Community Room

Friday, March 18, 6:30 p.m.

Film and Discussion: “CodeGirl”

In this 2015 documentary, teams of high school girls around the world develop apps   to solve problems in their communities. Following the screening a discussion moderated by Montgomery Upper Middle School teacher Violet Markmann features panelists from Code for Princeton, the Techsters of Montgomery Upper Middle School, and Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. Community Room

Thursday, March 20, 2 p.m.

Laurie Wallmark

The author will read from her children’s book "Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine," an illustrated biography of Ada Lovelace. More than 100 years before the invention of the electronic computer, Byron followed her creativity in science and math to become the world’s first computer programmer. This story serves as an inspiration for children, especially girls, to be fearless in pursuing their passions. Two craft activities appropriate for grades 1-5 will follow the reading. Story Room

Wednesday, March 23, 7 p.m.

Book Discussion: “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” by Thomas Kuhn

Angela Creager leads a discussion of the book that is considered the paradigmatic history of science text. Originally published in 1962, the book is still widely read by specialist and non-specialist audiences. Creager is the Thomas M. Siebel Professor in the History of Science and the Director of Graduate Studies for History of Science at Princeton University. Conference Room

Wednesday, March 30, 7 p.m.

Scott McVay

The author discusses and signs copies of his book “Surprise Encounters with Artists and Scientists, Whales and Other Living Things.” The book invites readers to engage in provocative encounters with riveting explorers, whether artists or scientists, who have opened new ways for seeing the world and our place in it. For this presentation, McVay will focus on his inspiring encounters with scientists devoted to transformative change and will share his engaging stories about these internationally famous "path-finders." Community Room

Wednesday, April 13, 7 p.m.

Book Discussion: "Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA" by Brenda Maddox

Kathryn Maxson, a Ph.D. candidate in the Program in History of Science at Princeton University, leads a discussion of Maddox’s book that examines the largely unknown story of the life and work of Rosalind Franklin whose data and photography of DNA led to James Watson and Francis Crick's discoveries. Conference Room

Sunday, April 24, 2 p.m.

Mercer Magic and the Story of America's First Sports Car

Historian Clifford W. Zink presents on the Raceabout, long considered America's first sports car and a shining example of local entrepreneurship and innovation. At the height of Trenton’s industrial era, the Roebling family, bridge-builders and wire rope manufacturers, and the Kuser family, of banks and brewing, joined together “to build a car in a class by itself.” The Mercer Automobile Company launched in1909, and its premier model, the Mercer Raceabout, was designed for the “amateur sportsman” to drive around town during the week and take to the track to race on weekends. Mercer race drivers won numerous races culminating in the American Grand Prize in 1914, and the surviving Mercers are highly prized in private collections and museums. Community Room

All Princeton Public Library programs are free and open to the public. If programs require registration, preference is given to library cardholders. The physically challenged should contact the library at (609) 924-9529 48 hours before any program with questions about special accommodations.

Opinions expressed during programming at Princeton Public Library do not necessarily reflect the views of the library, its staff, trustees or supporters.

The library is in the Sands Library Building at 65 Witherspoon St. in Princeton, NJ. Convenient parking is available on neighboring streets and in the Spring Street Garage, which is adjacent to the library. For more information about library programs and services, call (609) 924-9529 or visit www.princetonlibrary.org