Explore the Budding Science of Gravitational Waves April 5 at COD

Northwestern University’s Shane Larson shares discoveries related to gravitational waves during “Songs from the Stellar Graveyard: Probing the Cosmos in Gravitational Waves” at 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, in the Student Resource Center, Room 2000, on the College of DuPage Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd.

The event, part of the College’s STEMinar series and the Illinois Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers, is free and open to the public.

During his talk, Larson will discuss what gravitational waves are, how they are measured and what science is learning from their detection.

Larson, a research associate professor of physics at Northwestern University, is the Associate Director of Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA). He received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Oregon University and a master’s degree in physics and a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Montana State University. He has served as a postdoctoral scholar at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the California Institute of Technology and the Center for Gravitational Wave Physics at the Pennsylvania State University. His work in gravitational wave astrophysics is focused on the study of compact stars, binaries and the galaxy. Larson also works in gravitational wave astronomy with the ground-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory and the space-based Laser Interferometer Space Antenna project.

For more information about this event, click here or contact College of DuPage STEM Outreach Coordinator Sara Spaniol at (630) 942-3021 or email mccubbinss@cod.edu.

The STEMinar Series at College of DuPage consists of free talks covering a variety of topics related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math throughout the fall and spring semesters.

View videos of previous STEMinars at COD.

The College’s STEM offerings continue April 27 at the fourth annual STEMCON, the College’s interactive, family-based celebration of all things STEM. The free event features a broad range of activities and events, such as hands-on experiences, interactive exhibits and STEM experts. This year’s event will feature keynote speaker Disney Attractions Engineering Services Manager Angel Price.

The goal of STEM at College of DuPage is to enhance the quality of STEM instructional and outreach programs and to help current and future students prepare for careers in STEM fields. COD offers a broad range of academic programs designed to provide students with the educational background and training needed to successfully pursue an advanced degree or career in STEM.