Nerd Nite St. Pete - March 2024

We all know that learning is more fun when you’re drinking with friends. Nerd Nite operates in over a hundred cities around the globe including our city - St. Pete! This lecture event strives for an inebriated, salacious, yet deeply academic vibe. Several presenters totally geek out for 20 minutes each while guests drink and socialize. It’s like Ted Talk– with beer! Drink, learn, connect, and talk about fun, interesting stuff!

Doors open at 6:30pm. Presentations begin promptly at 7pm. 

Tickets are $6.91 in advance/$9.15 at the door by credit card/$7 at the door by cash.

Show your ticket on your phone and we will scan it (we are so fancy)

Tickets will not be sold past 7pm at the door.

Be there and be square.

Kevin Hohl presents:

Everything you wanted to know about Augmented Reality, but were afraid to ask!

Kevin will talk about the evolution of Augmented Reality development, from web cams in 2009, to mobile AR, to the launch of Quest 3 and Apple Vision pro. He will give live demonstrations of AR experiences that he has created throughout his career, explaining the technology behind each experience.

Kevin Hohl is a visionary leader in the field of augmented reality, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Augmented Reality Machine, Inc. His expertise and creativity have led him to work closely with several prestigious museums across the state of Florida, revolutionizing the way visitors engage with exhibits. Kevin continues to push the boundaries of augmented reality, placing a strong focus on creating innovative AR experiences for museums, libraries, and learning institutions. His visionary approach and strategic mindset consistently drive him to explore new possibilities and revolutionize the way we learn, connect, and experience the world around us.

Aaron Williamson presents:

Was Jesus a mushroom? The answer may surprise you.

The red mushroom with the white flecks goes by many names: soma, the Mario mushroom, the flesh of the gods. It illustrates art from medieval illuminated manuscripts to Alice in Wonderland. It's been credited as the inspiration for the colors of Santa's red and white coat and the Christian gospels. It's a potent stimulant and soporific, perfectly legal, and grows wild in the backyards of St. Petersburg. Yet for many, the world's most recognizable mushroom remains mysterious. This talk will explore the history, folklore, and psychopharmacology of the Amanita Muscaria mushroom and equip audience members to explore its magic properties at home.

Aaron Williamson is an amateur mycologist, philologist, and heretic. Like most children of his generation, he was first introduced to Amanita Muscaria by Super Mario Bros., and then -- as mushrooms do -- it just kept popping up and demanding his attention. Aaron lives in St. Petersburg with his wife Jessie and his three beloved cats, Cosmo, Tigger, and Gmork.

Heather Judkins presents

A Day in the Life of a Marine Biologist at Sea

Dr. Heather Judkins is an associate professor at USFSP and as part of her research, she has gone out on multiple research cruises over the years.  She will be talking about her life at sea and share interesting stories about some of her favorite moments which include discussing the realities of ship life in the open ocean, observing the largest animals on earth, and working with her favorite group of animals- squid and octopus!