College of Science Lecture Series: Minerals at Centennial Hall

In the 17th annual College of Science Lecture Series, distinguished faculty will lead the audience on a journey through minerals, the building blocks of the solar system, earth, and civilization. Live from Centennial Hall, explore the origins of minerals, the stories they tell, and the future of critical minerals in society. "We will lay the foundations for understanding minerals all around us -- from the origins of mankind to their vital function in our daily lives."

March 10 | Mauricio Ibañez-Mejia | The Stories That Minerals Tell

“How old is the Earth?” It’s a question scientists have researched for centuries. In this talk, explore how minerals serve as time capsules of terrestrial and cosmic evolution, and how they can be utilized to reconstruct the timescales of our planet. The rocks, fossils, mountains, and landforms all around us tell a fascinating story.

March 17 | Ananya Mallik | Gems and Planetary Evolution

Gems are revered throughout history for their natural beauty. They also serve as a time machine for our planet. In this talk, you will discover how diamonds, jades, and rubies are studied to better understand the evolutions of Earth and how minerals can serve as an X-ray into the planet’s inner layers.

March 31 | Isabel Barton | Arizona, Copper and Critical Minerals

As a society, we need metals and minerals more than ever to maintain our technological advances. The state of Arizona will have a large part to play in those efforts. In this talk, you will explore the impact of critical minerals found in Arizona and the importance of meeting resource demands in the future.

April 7 | Raina Maier | Mining In A Greener Future

Do you own a smartphone, TV, or electric car? It takes a complex mix of metals to create each device. The future of mining is green and there are currently no viable options for traditional mining of metals. In this talk, we will discuss our dependence on metals and possibilities for disruptive change in how we mine metals in the future.

• The lectures are free and open to the public.
• Doors open at 6:00 pm; the presentations will begin at 7:00 pm and last approximately one hour.
• For the safety of all attendees, face masks are required inside Centennial Hall.
• Centennial Hall performs bag checks prior to entering. Bags larger than 12" x 6" x 12" are not permitted.
• Parking is available in the Tyndall Avenue Garage and 6th Street Garage on a pay-per-use basis or for free with Main Gate Square merchant validation.