“It’s an absolute joy to bring fun, educational programming to town. The Science on Tap series gives our small town something to look forward to—and a chance to grab a beer and nerd out with neighbors,” said Mary Langworthy, outreach program director for Science Moab.
Science on Tap, the free community night hosted by Science Moab, has become one of the town’s most anticipated winter events and will return with a three-part series running from December through February.
The series provides a space for researchers and residents to exchange information in an informal setting. Attendees often ask questions, share personal observations from time spent outdoors, and engage directly with experts in fields connected to the Colorado Plateau. These conversations help bridge scientific research with everyday experiences in the region.
This year’s talks include fire ecologist Dr. Larissa Yocom’s presentation, “Mysterious Case of Tree Death in Ray Mesa” on December 10, Dr. Mackenzie Skiles will present “Dust in the Wind (and Snow)” on January 21, and entomologist Dr. Emmanuel Santa Martinez’s talk “Buzzed and In Charge: How Pollinators Run the World” on February 21.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and presentations begins at 6 for this 21+ event.
“It’s exciting to see just how inquisitive, curious, and excited Moabites are to learn about the place they live in,” Langworthy said.
Most invited speakers and knowledge holders have been recommended through word-of-mouth. Some are from the higher education spaces, professors and researchers. Others are knowledge holders from Indigenous communities.
“This makes for an inclusive and all encompassing information session – we’re inviting everyone who has connections to the land to share,” Langworthy said.
“I always learn something new when I talk with people who live in the landscapes we study,” said Dr. Mackenzie Skiles, associate professor in the School of Environment, Society, and Sustainability at the University of Utah.
Skiles’s presentation, “Dust in the Wind (and Snow),” will focus on snow science and how modern land disturbance contributes to increasing dust levels in snow. Her research shows that high-dust years can accelerate snowmelt, shifting when water becomes available for rivers, plants, and agricultural use. Because dust levels vary year-to-year, her lab is working to better understand—and eventually predict—these changes.
“It’s never just me presenting information—I’m learning from the audience too,” Dr. Skiles said. “Engaging with the community helps me understand how people interact with their environment, and that’s invaluable for our research.”
“It feels like a nerdy nightlife field trip for adults,” Langworthy said, “with people laughing and learning in a local bar.”
Each event will take place at Woody’s Tavern and is free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-serve, so arrive early.
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