Professor Judit Hersko of California State University San Marcos, who will present her work on using visual and performing arts to describe important scientific topics of the day.  

Professor Hersko will present a performance lecture "Pages from the Book of the Unknown Explorer" based on her research and collaboration with scientists studying the effects of climate change on life in the ocean.

In this lecture polar exploration and science is presented through a combination of narrative and image from the perspective of a fictitious, unknown, female explorer, Anna Schwartz, who travels to Antarctica with the 1939 Byrd expedition. Anna is a photographer and a naturalist obsessed with microscopic, transparent planktonic snails. These tiny snails function as canaries in the coal mine when it comes to ocean acidification especially in the cold waters of the polar regions. Hence their inclusion in a historical narrative based on facts that incorporates current science bringing the audience in relationship to a microscopic species and helping them understand the science while also making the loss of these creatures- due to ocean acidification - palpable on an emotional level.

This is a FREE lecture to will be held in the John M. Olguin Auditorium, but space is limited. To reserve your seat(s), call the Aquarium at 310-548-7562. Additionally, the volunteer-run gift shop will be open during and after the lecture. Plan to stop by for a wide selection of gifts and books.