About this Event
Join us for our first "Be Reason-Able!" Skepticamp !
Skepticamps are informal in-person conferences to learn about science and rational skepticism, meet fellow advocates for science and reason, and enjoy the company of friends!
The main event is Saturday, April 5, with short presentations by speakers from various fields demonstrating how science and reason enrich our lives every day.
Bringing your lunch is recommended.
Tickets are free but preregistration is required.
🧑🏻🏫 Planned Talks
Each of the day's talks are about 30 minutes each, including time for Q&A. A description of each talk is on our Eventbrite registration page.
"Are you Skeptical? How Critical Thinking Keeps Us from Getting Fooled"
- Carolyn Dougherty
"'Is that fake?' and Other Questions that Science Can Answer in an Art Museum"
- Charlotte E
"No, Tyler Henry Did Not Tell Ricki Lake That Her House Would Burn Down"
- Susan Gerbic
"Drones? Really?"
- Leonard Tramiel
"Ripped from Health Headlines, but Where's the Evidence?"
-Eve Melton
... and more to be announced!
🍕 Ice Breaker at Roundtable Pizza (Friday)
Come to a casual icebreaker and dinner at Round Table Pizza (2715 W Kettleman Ln, Lodi), in the back room, and meet the Roundtablers and some of our friends, including some of our event speakers!
🍝 Dinner at Dancing Fox (Saturday)
Afterwards, meet us for dinner and socializing at The Dancing Fox (203 S School St, Lodi), a short distance from the library.
🌳 Nature Walk at Lodi Lake (Sunday)
Join us at Lodi Lake’s Nature Area (1101 W Turner Rd, Lodi) for a fun stroll and enjoy nature! Bring water. There is a $5 parking fee.
Main Event (Saturday)
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Arrival and Check-In
Info: Use this time to arrive, get comfortable, find a seat, and make some new friends.
Are you Skeptical? How Critical Thinking Keeps Us from Getting Fooled
Host: Carolyn Dougherty
Info: The term “skeptic” is often misunderstood. We’ll clear up some misconceptions and explore how critical thinking helps us determine fact from fiction in a world where conspiracy theories, fringe beliefs, and pseudoscience are becoming more mainstream. Carolyn Dougherty is a retired teacher and the founder of Rational Roundtable. She is an instructor for OLLI at the University of the Pacific, a member of the planning committee for the SkeptiCal Conference, and a volunteer for The About Time Project. Dougherty was a Sunday Papers speaker at CSICon 2024.
"Is that fake?" and Other Questions that Science Can Answer in an Art Museum
Host: Charlotte E
Info: All works of art and objects of cultural importance have stories to tell. To unlock some of their hidden secrets, an art conservation scientist must play forensic detective by building their case with detailed observations and analytical data collected from scientific instruments that each specialize in revealing certain forensic signatures. In this talk, learn what it is like to be a research scientist working in a large encyclopedic museum as well as how science can be used to inform curatorial and conservation treatment decisions through evidence and reason. Charlotte has always enjoyed being a ‘Jack(ie) of all trades’ with a broad range of scientific and professional interests. After receiving her PhD in materials science and engineering, she spent 12 years working as an art conservation scientist, examining hundreds of art objects. She currently works in tech transfer.
No, Tyler Henry Did Not Tell Ricki Lake That Her House Would Burn Down
Host: Susan Gerbic
Info: Susan Gerbic is the founder of Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia (GSoW). A Center for Inquiry (CFI) Ambassador, Gerbic is a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and winner of the CFI’s James Randi Foundation Award. Gerbic founded and manages About Time, a non-profit organization focusing on scientific skepticism and activism. While her particular focus has been “Grief Vampires” (psychic mediums), her activism encompasses all areas of skepticism. Gerbic maintains two YouTube channels: PsychicsExplained www.youtube.com/@PsychicsExplained and AboutTimeProject which features various videos from past conferences, workshops, interviews and a playlist that explains what goes on behind the scenes with Wikipedia https://www.youtube.com/@AboutTimeProject.
Drones? Really?
Host: Leonard Tramiel
Info: What can a skeptical viewpoint tell us about the series of drone sightings from late last year? Leonard Tramiel is a life-long amateur astronomer which lead to a Ph.D. in Astrophysics, a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and an informal science educator. He is retired from a Personal Computer and Video Game career.
Ripped from Health Headlines, but Where's the Evidence?
Host: Eve Melton
Info: Do you ever wonder what research is behind the health news stories you see in the news or on social media? Health stories and news can be misleading or inaccurate. Some of the information is trustworthy and some of it is not! Learn strategies to evaluate what you are reading and how and why harmful information might be shared.
Eve M. has a Master's Degree in Library Science and has more than 20 years as a Medical Librarian working with health care providers to stay current on the latest medical evidence.
🕑: 05:00 PM
Dinner and Socializing
Info: Afterwards, meet us for dinner and socializing at The Dancing Fox (203 S School St, Lodi), a short distance from the library.
Ice Breaker (Friday)
🕑: 05:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Ice Breaker and Pizza
Info: Come to a casual icebreaker and dinner at Round Table Pizza (2715 W Kettleman Ln, Lodi) and meet the Roundtablers and some of our friends, including some of our event speakers!
Nature Walk (Sunday)
🕑: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Nature Walk
Info: Join us at Lodi Lake’s Nature Area (1101 W Turner Rd, Lodi) for a fun stroll and enjoy nature! Bring water. There is a $5 parking fee.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Lodi Public Library, 201 West Locust Street, Lodi, United States
USD 0.00
