Does geography matter to our 21st Century world? If you enjoy coffee, enjoy being able to find your way to the nearest coffee shop using your smartphone, and enjoy having a smartphone, these are three examples showing how geographic innovations have shaped our world. Joseph J. Kerski, who will illustrate these innovations, is the first speaker in the San Bernardino County Museum’s 2018 Dome Talks, and will appear on Thursday, Jan. 18. Kerski is the author of Interpreting Our World: 100 Discoveries That Revolutionized Geography, and is the education manager at Esri and instructor at the University of Denver.
Geography is an ancient discipline and yet a high-tech one that has always been revolutionary. Join the conversation as Dr. Kerski examines people, innovations, and ways of thinking that have revolutionized geography but also shaped the world in which we live. These discoveries include web mapping, sea clocks, plate tectonics, GPS, satellite imagery, ocean currents, the Internet of Things, supply chain management, and many more, and the discussion will include a peek into future discoveries that await us in our own lifetimes.
At Esri, Kerski focuses on thought leadership in geospatial technologies and education. This includes GIS-based curriculum development, research in the implementation and effectiveness of GIS in education, teaching professional development institutes for educators, and fostering partnerships and communication to promote and support GIS in formal and informal education at all levels, internationally.
”It’s exciting to bring Joseph Kerski’s cutting edge knowledge to our museum community, and to supplement our exhibits and programs about geography,” Museum Director Melissa Russo said.
Dome Talks start at 6:30 p.m. with light refreshments provided by the San Bernardino County Museum Association. Talks begin promptly at 7 p.m. with book sales and signings following.
Individual tickets for Dome Talks are $25 per evening; Museum members can purchase individual tickets for $18. A Full Series Pass for all six Dome Talks is $130, $100 for Museum members. Tickets may be purchased at the Museum’s welcome desk, by calling the Museum at (909) 798-8608, or on-line at www.sbcounty.gov/museum. Advance ticket purchases are recommended because seating is limited. No ticket discounts apply for the March 8 presentation.
These evening discussions feature leading authors and thought leaders discussing topics relevant to the past, present, and future of our Inland Southern California region. This year’s lineup emphasizes the seismic shifts, social changes and environmental forces that have affected the lives of Californians. Upcoming Dome Talks speakers are Henry Fountain, The Great Quake: How the Biggest Earthquake in North America Changed our Understanding of the Planet, Feb. 22; Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods, March 8; Beverly Gray, Seduced by Mrs. Robinson: How the Graduate Became the Touchstone of a Generation, April 26; Cheech Marin, Cheech is Not My Real Name: But Don’t Call me Chong, May 16; and Chip Colwell, Plundered Skulls and Stolen Spirits: Inside the Fight to Reclaim Native America’s Culture, June 21.
The San Bernardino County Museum’s Dome Talks and other exciting events and programs reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.
The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/museum. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.