Science Café - Internet Search Engines – How do They Work? April 28, 2011

The Las Cruces Museum of Natural History hosts its monthly roundtable discussion, Science Café, on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 5:30 PM. The discussion will be held at the Las Cruces Museum of Natural History in the Mesilla Valley Mall.

You are stuck. You have a question and need help with research. Using the internet and Google, you enter a topic and click “enter.” Like magic, pages of “hits” appear and the world of information is your oyster. Our question is: how does Google or any other search engine find the answers to your questions? Dr. David Finston, Professor of Mathematics at NMSU, explores the topic “The Linear Algebra Behind Search Engines” in this Science Café discussion that investigates the use of mathematics in accessing the internet.

Science Café is presented by Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society in cooperation with the Las Cruces Museum of Natural History. Café discussions present explanations of current research to advance a greater public understanding and use of available science. Students and all those seeking greater knowledge of current science are encouraged to be at Science Café.

The Las Cruces Museum of Natural History is located at 700 South Telshor Blvd in the Mesilla Valley Mall. For more information, call (575) 522-3120 or visit the website http://museums.las-cruces.org/.

If an accommodation for a disability is required, please contact the museum 48 hours before the event at (575) 522-3120.

For more program information: Museum of Natural History (575) 522-3120.