Scientist takes questions at The Human Spark Science Cafe

RIT and the Rochester Museum & Science Center are teaming up to preview clips from PBS’ The Human Spark series hosted by Alan Alda. The program explores what makes us uniquely human by delving into paleontology and neuroscience.

Local scientists Elizabeth Kriscenski Perry, RIT Director of the General Science Exploration Program, and George McIntosh, RMSC Director of Collections, will discuss the program and answer questions from the audience 1-3 p.m. Jan. 10 at the RMSC’s Eisenhart Auditorium. To register for the free event, visit http://wxxi.org/humanspark. Seating is limited.

The Human Spark airs at 8 p.m. Jan. 6, 13 and 20 on WXXI-TV 21, Time Warner Cable channel 11. Perry and McIntosh will host an online chat from 9¬–9:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at wxxi.org/listen. They also will discuss the program on WXXI 1370 Connection at noon Jan. 4.

“The Human Spark is a combination of archaeology/anthropology, neuropsychology, and medical imaging and addresses the question of ‘What makes us human?’ ” Perry says. “The program forces a very detailed evaluation of who and what we are. My science interests have switched from laboratory research to the neuroscience of learning, and so I was particularly caught by the work around differences between chimps and humans, and also by the enhanced social learning talents of human children.”