Have you ever bitten into a fresh strawberry and tasted little more than water, only to try strawberry yoghurt and taste a clear strawberry flavor? This seminar explains the scientific and political causes, and effects, for this “Dorito Effect”. In short, "natural" flavors hijack our biological responses to foods, leading to serious problems, such as nutritional deficiencies and obesity. What are these flavors in a molecular sense, to maintain the “natural” label? How do they “hijack” our body's responses? How can "natural" flavors cause diet-related diseases, if they are not food themselves? These are some of the questions you will be able to answer after participating in this seminar. Also, you will get to explore the other side of the story: Can the dorito effect solve the problems it has created? Categories: Science, Humanities

Biotechnology, specifically genetic modification, has a bad reputation. It is time to explore both sides of the argument. How can genetic modification help us fight disease, world hunger, or the obesity epidemic? How can it help us fight pollution or the extinction of species? And could it help us solve crimes? In this seminar involving myth-busting, discussions, and trivia, we will explore the answers to these questions. By the end of the seminar, you will understand the multifarious real-life uses of this biotechnology, and the advantages and disadvantages to using it in these specific situations.

Most people know that climate change is causing serious, life-threatening problems every day, so why isn’t every house coated in solar panels? If the technology to mitigate climate change exists, why aren’t alternative energy sources used everywhere? It is not only important to create new sustainable technology, but also to make sure that these renewable sources are implemented. In this seminar, we will explore barriers to implementing viable renewable energy sources. Moreover, you will get to work with others on writing a complete and implementable bill to alleviate an issue arising from climate change, and debate the bills in a formel mock Senate setting. Categories: Science, Humanities, Engineering

Have you ever bitten into a fresh strawberry and tasted little more than water, only to try strawberry yoghurt and taste a clear strawberry flavor? This seminar explains the scientific and political causes, and effects, for this “Dorito Effect”. In short, natural flavors hijack our natural body responses, leading to serious problems, such as nutritional deficiencies and obesity. What are natural flavors in a molecular sense, to maintain the “natural” label? How do natural flavors “hijack” our body’s natural response? How can natural flavors cause diet-related diseases, if they are not food themselves? These are some of the questions you will be able to answer after participating in this seminar. Also, you will get to explore the other side of the story: Can the dorito effect solve the problems it has created? Categories: Science, Humanities