Albany High ’04 Team

Science Bowl Brings
Teens to Lab Tomorrow 

Some of the best and brightest teens from Bay Area high schools will descend upon Berkeley Lab tomorrow to compete in a regional science bowl. Numerous Lab employees have volunteered as moderators, scorekeepers and timekeepers for the competition. The winning team out of the 18 competing gets an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. to test their knowledge in the national science bowl competition, sponsored by the Department of Energy. Tomorrow’s event was coordinated by the Lab’s Center for Science and Engineering Education and the DOE Berkeley site office for the second consecutive year. Lab Director Steve Chu is scheduled to give out the awards at 3 p.m. in the Building 50 Auditorium.

Not Too Early to Think
About Science Camp

Science Exploration Camp (SEC), a mix of recreational and science-oriented activities for elementary school-age children of Berkeley Lab employees, will soon offer enrollment, on a weekly basis. The summer program, which will run from mid-July to the third week of August, is not subsidized by the Lab and is self-supported by camp fees. SEC is administered by a board of directors, largely Lab employees and scientists who volunteer their time to organize the camp, hire staff, and participate in the program as support to the staff. To join the SEC board or become a volunteer at the camp, send a message to [email protected]. Go here for more information on last year's camp. Updated information on the ’05 program will be available at the end of February.

The University of California's Prime Contract for management of Berkeley Lab has been extended through May 31. The current contract was due to expire on Monday. This is the latest in a series of extensions agreed upon by UC and the Department of Energy to maintain operations pending the solicitation of bids for the next Berkeley Lab management contract. Proposals are due to the DOE on Feb. 9. UC has already announced it will submit its bid to continue Lab management.

Ex-Lab Expert Rosenfeld
Reappointed to Commission

Rosenfeld

Arthur Rosenfeld, 78, of Sacramento, has been reappointed to the state Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. He has served on the commission since 2000. Rosenfeld previously served as co-director of Global Environmental Technologies Fund and worked as a senior science advisor for the Department of Energy. He was a professor of physics at UC Berkeley from 1955 to 1994, when he also founded the Center for Building Science at Berkeley Lab. The position requires Senate confirmation. Governor Schwarzenegger announced his appointments Wednesday.

Madison Dynamo prototype

Scientists are trying to solve an enduring cosmic mystery: how does the Earth generate its magnetic field? Their tool is the Madison Dynamo Experiment, a model of the Earth's molten core. Theory has it that magnetic fields tend to arise spontaneously in any rotating, electrically conducting fluid, whether it’s molten iron in the Earth's interior or the multi-million-degree plasma at the center of the sun. But empirical evidence is hard to come by, given that no one has yet figured out how to stick a probe into the core of the Earth, or into the heart of a star. Full story.