The U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s popular Science on Saturday lecture series will have a new name when it begins on Saturday, January 10. “The Ronald E. Hatcher Science on Saturday Lecture Series” honors the late PPPL engineer who spent some 20 years organizing the series and serving as the unofficial master of ceremonies. This year’s lecture topics range from psychology to energy and the environment.
Hatcher, a Plainsboro resident, died March 24 at the age of 56, just two weeks after last year’s series ended. A senior research engineer at PPPL, he had decided to pursue a career in science during high school. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and mathematics and a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He began working at PPPL in 1984 and chose to live in Plainsboro due to its proximity to the laboratory.
Science on Saturday has become a tradition in the Princeton community and multiple generations have had the opportunity to hear world-class scientists present their research. The audience usually includes high school students, Princeton University staffers, and community members.
The free nine-week lecture series will continue to offer a wide variety of science topics from top experts in their fields aimed at a high school level. Although the free talks are geared toward high school students, they are open to everyone. Doors open at 8:15 a.m. and the talks begin at 9:30 a.m. in PPPL’s auditorium. Students, teachers, parents, and community members are welcome to attend any or all of the lectures. According to Hatcher the talks are attended by people of all ages.
“Potential speakers are chosen by reviewing science magazines and journals to consider contemporary science topics and stars in scientific fields,” Hatcher told the News in 2012. “We choose speakers based on acquaintances, interesting research and/or bio, and recommendations from past speakers.”
Hatcher was well known to countless students and Science on Saturday regulars for beginning each lecture with personal chats with the renowned scientists who gave the lectures. “He started every lecture by asking about favorite teachers, hobbies, the things that would let young people know about how these people got involved in science,” says Andrew Zwicker, head of the science education department. “We’re going to continue that tradition before each lecture.”
For Hatcher’s colleagues, the start of the series will inevitably bring back memories of Hatcher. “The first lecture will be very sad,” Zwicker said. “We’ll never know how many young people Ron helped set along a career in science.”
#b#The schedule follows:#/b#
Ronald E. Hatcher Science on Saturday Lecture Series, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Forrestal Campus, Route 1 North, Plainsboro. 9:30 a.m. The nine-week program is aimed at a high school level on a wide variety of science topics. For students, parents, teachers, and community members. Photo ID required. Free. 609-243-2121. www.pppl.gov.
Saturday, January 10. “Consciousness and the Social Brain” presented by Michael Graziano of Princeton University’s department of psychology.
Saturday, January 17. “Stellarators: Shedding New Light On An Old Idea” presented by Samuel Lazerson, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.
Saturday, January 24. “Using Physics to Understand the Genome” presented by Mary Jo Ondrechen, department of chemistry and chemical biology, Northeastern University.
Saturday, January 31. “The Road to a Sustainable Energy Future” presented by Emily Carter, director of the Andlinger Center of Energy and the Environment, Princeton University.
Saturday, February 7. “Is Susy the Guardian of Our Reality from Oblivion?” presented by S. James Gates, director of the Center for String and Particle Physics, University of Maryland.
Saturday, February 14. “Honey, I Shrunk the Plasma: Studying Astrophysical Processes in Laboratory Experiments” presented by Clayton Myers, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.
Saturday, February 21. Department of Energy High School Science Bowl.
Saturday, February 28. “Zero Knowledge Arms Control: Proving a Warhead is Real While Learning Nothing about It” presented by Rob Goldston, department of astrophysical sciences, Princeton University.
Saturday, March 7. “Once Upon a Time in Kamchatka: The Extraordinary Search for Natural Quasicrystals” presented by Paul Steinhardt, director of Princeton Center for Theoretical Science.
Saturday, March 14. “Scientific Opportunities and Challenges in the Upgraded National Spherical Torus Experiments” presented by Jonathan Menard, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.
