To Make an Apple Pie: The Cosmic Calendar & Autumn Harvest

Science and Wonder with William

Join us to step into a grander cosmic classroom. We will trace the history of the cosmos, compressed into a single year, to discover how a simple apple is actually an ancient piece of stardust.

Autumn brings the familiar hum of the back-to-school season, the fresh crisp evening air, and the peak of our local harvest. But as Carl Sagan famously observed, "If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe."
Join us as we step into a grander cosmic classroom. Together, we will trace the 13.8-billion-year history of the cosmos, compressed into a single calendar year, to discover how a simple autumn apple is actually an ancient, glittering piece of stardust.

In this interactive session, we will explore:

• The Apple on the Teacher’s Desk: Discover how the classic symbol of a fresh school year holds the literal elements of ancient stardust, forged in the hearts of dying stars billions of years ago.
• Our Cosmic Semester: Walk through the "Cosmic Calendar"—where the entire history of time is mapped onto a single year—and realize why Earth’s own story doesn't even begin until "September."
• The Universe in a Slice: We will look at the simple ingredients of a harvest pie to map out the incredible, step-by-step cosmic milestones required to bring them to our autumn tables.
• A Harvest of Curiosity: Connect the seasonal rhythm of gathering apples to our ongoing role as observers of the natural world, keeping the flame of lifelong learning alive.

Come as you are. Leave with wonder.

This presentation is open to the public, for all ages, and free-of-charge. Registration is not required.

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