The second Cambridge Science Festival kicks off this Saturday. Many of the events are geared towards families and kids, but here are a few that might interest grown-ups. (I’ve pasted in the descriptions from the full schedule, which can be found here.)

Lunch with a Laureate

MIT Museum, 265 Mass. Ave.

An informal talk and Q&A session with one of the many local Nobel winners. Free.

Mon: Phil Sharp (Physiology/Medicine, 1993)

Tues: Wolfgang Ketterle (Physics, 2001)

Wed: Dudley Herschbach (Chemistry, 1986)

Thurs: Jerome Friedman (Physics, 1990)

Fri: Susumu Tonegawa (Physiology/Medicine, 1987) This Friday talk starts at 12:30pm.

Making Us Smarter? The Ethics of Neuronal Enhancement

Novartis Auditorium, 220 Mass Ave.

Explore both the practical prospects and the ethical implications of various kinds of neuronal enhancement that are becoming possible as a result of current developments in the brain sciences. Harvard Provost and Neuroscientist Steven E. Hyman will moderate a panel and will be joined by Mark Bear, Director of the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory and Dr. Richard Wurtman, the Cecil H. Green Distinguished Professor of Neuropharmacology at MIT. Free.

Thinking Outside the Fossil Record: Explanations for the Cambrian Explosion of Animals.

Harvard University, Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street

There are many explanations for the Cambrian “explosion” – that flash of evolution 540 million years ago when the diversity of animal life exploded. Family after family of complex creatures with hard shells, spinal cords, and skeletons arose to dominate life on Earth and create rich, albeit incomplete, fossil record. What caused this diversity explosion and what makes this epoch unique in history? Come listen to Charles Marshall, Professor of Biology & Geology and Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology at Harvard. Free

Soap Box/Sociable Robots

MIT Museum, 265 Mass. Ave.

What do sociable robots tell us about ourselves? First, we’ll hear from MIT professors Sherry Turkle and Cynthia Breazeal, then we’ll hear from you and the rest of the audience in this salon-style event. Who knows, a socialble robot or two may show-up to have their say! Free

Brewing Innovation

MIT Museum, 265 Mass. Ave.

Join us for an evening of science and Sam (Adams)! Yeast has been used in the research of diseases from cancer to Alzheimer’s as well as cutting edge emerging energy work. Samuel Adams Beer Founder Jim Koch will talk about the science of brewing followed by Dr. Gerald R. Fink of the Whitehead Institute, who will lecture on breaking Biofuel research. Beer tasting and hors d’oeuvres will round out the evening. Strictly 21+ event. Cheers! Free but must pre-register, only 100 slots available. scitacular@gmail.com

QED/Underground Railway Theater

Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 7 Cambridge Center, Cambridge

QED, Peter Parnell’s play about the brilliant and eccentric Richard Feynman, who won the Nobel Prize for his work on quantum electrodynamics. Directed by Jon Lipsky, starring Keith Jochim. Alternately very funny and surprisingly moving, QED is deeply inspirational about scientific inquiry and an expression of the human spirit. Performances will be followed by conversations with the public led by scientists of the MIT community, many of whom knew Feynman personally. This performance is a part of the Catalyst Collaborative@MIT, an on-going science/theater initiative between MIT and URT and follows up on the very successful production of Einstein’s Dreams which was part of the first Cambridge Science Festival. Cost: Tickets $20/$12 for students/seniors with ID.

Wed-Thurs, Sun: 7:30pm

Fri-Sat: 8pm

Sat and Sun: 3pm

Whitehead Institute Film Festival

McGovern Auditorium, Whitehead Institute, 9 Cambridge Center

Join us for a journey into the visual expressions of modern biology through a series of short films. Life-sustaining refreshments included. Free

Sci-Fi Camp-O-Rama: Sci-Fi Movie night at the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

Phillips Auditorium at the Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden Street

Get ready for the yin and yang of sci-fi filmmaking. First we humbly offer one of Mystery Science Theater 3000’s funniest versions of the movie “Space Mutiny.” The second offering is “2010: The Year We Make Contact.” Unlike 2001, this sequel has a story that makes sense! It brings a whole new meaning to the words intelligent design. These films are a part of a special series, “Everything I Learned About Science, I Learned at the Movies!” that include free drawings and an enlightening science lecture. Free