Science, Storytelling and Flame: The Lawrence Hosts Insect-Themed Evening for Adults

The Lawrence Hall of Science buzzed with life Thursday night as adult science enthusiasts—gathered for The Future of Food and the Buzz of Science, a lively, bug-themed after-hours event exploring everything from pollinator science to Indigenous oral tradition to large-scale fire art.

The event marked The Lawrencer’s first adults-only evening in years, drawing a diverse crowd for a night of discovery and celebration. Guests were invited to explore insect evolution and ecology, engage in hands-on experiences with microscopes and virtual reality, and reflect on the deeper cultural significance of bees and other pollinators. Attendees who came dressed as bugs even received a $5 discount.

“It’s been a very challenging time for us as an organization,” said Lee Bishop, the Biotechnology Lead at The Lawrence, in welcoming remarks. “But we are really excited to keep the lights on for science—and feel very strongly about continuing our work creatively and adaptably.”

One of the evening’s most powerful moments came from Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino of the ’ottoy initiative, who shared an Ohlone story titled nefeja pin nanikma a taresh, or The Bees and the Man. The tale, recorded in 1921 and passed down through generations, tells of a man who exploits a hive: stealing honey, killing bees, and ultimately facing the swarm’s revenge. The story, Medina explained, is rooted in a concept of personhood that applies not only to humans but also to animals, plants, and ecosystems.

“This story takes the side of the bees instead of the side of the man,” he said. “It’s a reminder of Ohlone personhood and how that’s something still respected by our people today.”

Trevino added that the story’s themes of balance, respect, and consequence are especially resonant in today’s environmental climate. “We work at the intersection of Ohlone science and Western science,” he said, “and we’re proud to see our culture represented here at The Lawrence—not dismissed as folklore, but uplifted for the scientific principles embedded in it.”

The evening also featured presentations from UC Berkeley entomologists Dr. Nina Sokolov and Dr. Signe White. Sokolov captivated the audience with her deep knowledge of native bees and their medicinal behaviors. While most people associate bees with social hives, she explained that 90% of bee species are solitary.

“There are 1,600 species of bees in California alone,” Sokolov said. “And many of them are sick—infected with viruses and struggling with habitat loss. But they’re also incredibly smart. We’ve seen bumble bees use sunflower pollen to self-medicate against gut parasites.”

She encouraged guests to plant a diversity of flowers to help stock pollinators’ “food pantries and medicine cabinets.”

White, a lepidopterist, followed with a story about monarch butterflies and their use of milkweed toxins to fight off OE, a protozoan parasite. Infected adult monarchs, she explained, often choose to lay their eggs on more toxic milkweed plants, ensuring their offspring have a better chance at resisting infection.

“Animals have agency,” she said. “They know what they need—and they make choices that help them survive.”

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Microscopical Society set up stations for guests to peer into the miniature world of insect anatomy, diatoms, and even a delicate fish-shaped mosaic made from butterfly wing scales. Their goal? “To get people excited about the microscopic beauty all around us.”

A large crowd also gathered around Serenity, a glowing firefly installation by the Flaming Lotus Girls. The San Francisco-based collective, known for its interactive metal art and appearances at Burning Man, lit up the evening—literally. The sculpture featured a fire-breathing insect built by a team of artists ranging from newcomers to seasoned fabricators.

“Everyone can be a Flaming Lotus Girl,” said longtime member Caroline “Mills” Miller, who also works as a microscopist. “We’re all about demystifying art and empowering people to build amazing things.”

Also on display was a virtual reality experience by 10k Science, inviting participants to shrink down to the scale of the glassy-winged sharpshooter—a vineyard pest—and explore how its presence affects plant health. The interactive storyline allowed viewers to zoom through insect anatomy and even visualize the bacteria that cause disease.

As the sun set behind the Golden Gate Bridge, guests lingered in Dinosaur Lookout, pressing buttons to create bursts of fire from Serenity.

“We’re known in the Bay Area as a place for families and kids,” said Bishop, “but we also want to serve our adult community—and create spaces where curiosity, culture, and fun can thrive together.”

From the shimmer of insect wings under a microscope to the roar of fire sculptures against the night sky, The Future of Food and the Buzz of Science offered a reminder: science is for everyone and it’s anything but boring.