We’re exploring the space where science and culture intersect, and we’re doing it over drinks.
Grab a brew (or root-brew!) and meet us online OR onsite. This Carpenter lecture series features some of the best minds in science. From the sensation of being hugged by an octopus to quantum mechanics, Science on Tap looks to answer questions you never knew you had!
UPCOMING LECTURES
"Our Lakes, Our Science: Underwater Archaeology in the Great Lakes"
Ashley Lemke
Join Dr. Ashley Lemke on a journey back in time and below the surface of our Great Lakes. Learn about research in Lake Huron and how you can participate in new archaeological research below Lake Michigan.
The Great Lakes are amazing ecosystems, areas of recreation, and gorgeous, unique landscapes. Below their waters, hundreds of archaeological sites can be found. While we most often think of historical shipwrecks, there are far older archaeological sites preserved in the Great Lakes. At the end of the last ice age, water levels in all five lakes fluctuated, and during a time of low stands, the water level in each lake was lower, and the lakes smaller. This means there was more dry land available, and people, plants, and animals were living on these ancient shorelines and landscapes.
Using the latest sub-sea technology, archaeologists can explore these sites and learn about past lifeways in the region. In Lake Huron, continued research has documented 9,000-year-old hunting features, such as hunting blinds made of stone, and the remains of ancient tools. The preservation below the Great Lakes is remarkable – with rooted trees and peat bogs still intact.
About the Speaker
Ashley Lemke is an archaeologist and an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She received her PhD in Anthropology from the University of Michigan. An expert on submerged ancient sites, she has received grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Her books include Anthropological Archaeology Underwater and The Architecture of Hunting. She has directed research projects in North America and below its waters, including in the Great Lakes and Atlantic Ocean. She has conducted archaeological research in Germany, Spain, Romania, and Serbia. Lemke collaborates with computer scientists to explore applications of virtual worlds, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality for archaeological research and discovery. She previously taught at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure Track Faculty, and was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Teachers. Lemke is a past chair of the Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology and Fellow of The Explorers Club.
Date and Time
Thursday, November 20, 2025
6 p.m. Social Hour
7 p.m. Lecture
Cost and Tickets
| Level | Onsite Cost | Virtual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Member | $10 | $5 |
| Member | $5 | Free |
| Sustainer+ Member* | Free | Free |
*Sustainer+ members must reserve their free onsite tickets by calling reservations at 414-278-2728.
Groups of 10+ must reserve their virtual tickets by calling reservations at 414-278-2728.
**Please note, this webinar will not be recorded and must be watched live. There will be no access to a recording afterward.**
*NOTE* New this year, we do not permit anyone under the age of 12 to the onsite lecture. This will be enforced.
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