The Visiting Scientists Series (VSS) was established to inspire and educate young people and the public about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Our approach: VSS showcases scientists working in a variety of fields, with the intent to reach a diverse audience and to inspire local students to consider careers in science. VSS provides resources for educators, educates members of technical organizations, and also informs the community on science and technical issues.
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Visiting Scientists Series Partners
The Visiting Scientists Series is a partnership of Bismarck State College, Bismarck Public Schools, North Dakota’s Gateway to Science, ND Society of Professional Engineers, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, State Historical Society of North Dakota, University of Mary, and United Tribes Technical College.
Past Presenters
| Presenter | Title | Year | Presentation Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jack Bacon, PhD, PE | Safety Lead, NASA Orbital Debris Program Office | 2021 | Engineering Better Worlds |
| James A. Peliska, Ph.D. Catherine Brissette, Ph.D. Joshua Wynn, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H | 2020 | Covid-19 Pandemic Discussion Panel | |
| Sam Van Aken | 2020 | The Tree of 40 Fruit and The Open Orchard | |
| Dr. Gurijot Dhaliwal | Research Faculty in the Intertribal Research and Resource Center at UTTC | 2020 | Developing Spray Foam Insulation from Soybean Oil |
| Becky Barnes | Paleontologist, ND State Historical Society | 2019 | Paleontological Digs Across North Dakota |
| Cayla Bendel | Pheasants Forever | 2018 | Pollinators! |
| Cami Dixon | 2018 | Birds, Butterflies, and Blue Stem: Thoughts on Managing Prairies for Wildlife | |
| Dale Heglund Tony Msumba Margaret Nordlie Karen Ryberg | 2018 | Science Café: Lightning Talks | |
| Clyde Eisenbeis | 2018 | Cochlear Implants | |
| Dr. Jim Maskey | University of Mary | 2018 | Moose Ecology |
| Sally Prasch | 2018 | The Art & Science of Glass | |
| Mandy Guinn, M.S. | United Tribes Technical College | 2017 | Out of the Darkness: Shedding Light on the North Dakota Bat Species |
| Karen Ryberg | U.S. Geological Survey | 2017 | Earth as Art Exhibit & Presentation |
| 2017 | Dream Big: Engineering Our World - A film about engineering | ||
| John Nordlie | UND School of Aerospace Sciences | 2017 | Stratospheric Flying on a Budget: Unmanned High Altitude Ballooning |
| Blake McCann, Ph.D. | National Park Service | 2016 | Elk Management at Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Policy, Politics, and Practicality |
| Mike Gunsch, Houston Engineering Julie Axtman, Houston Engineering Mark Zimmerman, ND Parks & Recreation Karen Ryberg, U.S. Geological Survey | 2016 | Science & Engineering of a New State Park | |
| Dr. James McClintock | Marine Biologist | 2016 | Lost Antarctica: Adventures in a Disappearing Land |
| Dr. Jack Bacon | NASA Systems Analyst | 2016 | Space Junk: NASA's Orbital Debris Program |
| Amanda Wangler | Project Manager Basin Electric Power Cooperative | 2015 | Wind Generation in North Dakota |
| Joseph Vacek, J.D. | Professor University of North Dakota | 2015 | Unmanned Aircraft Systems: State of the Industry |
| Dr. Maureen Clemmons | President of Transformations | 2015 | Wind, Pyramids and Obelisks |
| Galen Bren | Recycling Specialist City of Bismarck | 2015 | Bismarck's Recycling Program: First Year Review |
| Dr. Bob Willenbring | Mathematics Department Chair, University of Mary | 2014 | Math and Basketball: How Statistics is Changing Sports in the 21st Century |
| Dr. Michael Lares | Professor, University of Mary | 2014 | Behavior and Enrichment Studies at the Dakota Zoo |
| Dr. Maureen Clemmons | President of Transformations | 2014 | Wind, Pyramids and Obelisks |
| Dr. Kristine Nichols | Soil Microbiologist | 2013 | Living Soil - Where does our food 'purchase' nutrients? |
| Dr. Loren Wold | Cardiovascular Health Expert | 2012 | Where you live can make you sick: Environmental influences on health and disease |
| Dr. Rebecca Phillips | Research Scientist | 2012 | Connections between Remote Sensing, Food Production and Conservation |
| Dr. Jack Bacon | Futurist and NASA Engineer | 2012 | The Parallel Bang |
| Jon Rask | NASA Research Scientist | 2012 | Growing Food in the South Pole Greenhouse, Antarctica |
| Jason Makansi | Independent Energy Consultant | 2011 | Lights Out - The Coming Electricity Crisis |
| Annie Carlson | Executive Director of FARRMS “Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resources Management and Sustainability” | 2011 | Feeding Ourselves First — The Importance of Bioregional Food Sufficiency |
| Dr. Robert Bates | Food Scientist | 2011 | The Chemistry and Alchemy of Brewing |
| Karen Ryberg & Gregg Wiche | USGS | 2010 | Flooding in North Dakota |
| Lynn Helms | Director, ND Dept. of Mineral Resources | 2010 | Oil in North Dakota |
| Dr. Joseph Kerski | GIS Program Coordinator | 2010 | GIS-for a Sustainable World."Isn't that Spatial" |
| Dr. Roy Spencer | Global Warming Scientist | 2009 | Global Warming Fear |
| Dr. Kalpana Katti | NDSU Nano Technology | 2009 | Nano World |
| Joseph Vacek | UND faculty Space Center | 2009 | Spy Planes over your Backyard |
| Bob Becker | Chemistry Demo Guru | 2008 | Chemistry Workshop |
| Shirley Corriher | Food Scientist | 2007 | Properties of Food |
| Dr. Kent Martin | Physician | 2007 | Influenza: Past, Present & Future |
| Dr. Heidi Hammel | Planetary Astronomer | 2006 | Playing with Planets |
| Dr. John Fortman | Chemist | 2005 | The Chemistry of Toys |
| Dr. Jack Bacon | NASA Engineer | 2004 | Space Station-Carbon Based in the future |
| Dr. Jack Bacon | NASA Engineer | 2002 | International Space Station |