First Wednesdays

The Aquarium of the Pacific’s First Wednesdays series focuses on animals, nature and conservation efforts. The events bring scientists, authors, and other experts into its Honda Pacific Visions Theater for an illustrated talk paired with book signings or meet-and-greets and cocktail/social hours with music and crafts.

The programs are best suited for high school and college students and adults of all ages. Lectures are also live streamed. Tickets are $5 with reservations made in advance or $10 at the door, depending on availability.

The Longevity Imperative – Charting the New Map of Life

Presented by Dr. Laura Carstensen, Stanford Center on Longevity

Life expectancy nearly doubled in the 20th century, creating a demographic revolution that presents unprecedented opportunities to improve quality of life. Yet a fundamental mismatch persists between extended longevity and societal frameworks designed for much shorter lives. To address these challenges, health spans must be extended to match life spans, financial systems must be reimagined, and education must evolve from front-loaded learning to continuous lifelong development. By leveraging scientific advances while critically examining established cultural practices and institutions, additional years can significantly enhance human flourishing.
This talk provides a broad overview of longevity, explores cultural factors that contributed to increased life expectancy, and presents a blueprint for a new map of life that better supports century-long lives.
Following the presentation, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy cocktails, conversations, music, and crafts in our Art Gallery and experience our interactive Paint-a-Fish exhibit.

Recommended for ages 14+ (not suitable for young children).

Speaker:

Laura L. Carstensen is Professor of Psychology at Stanford University where she is the Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor in Public Policy and founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity. Her research on the theoretical and empirical study of motivational, cognitive, and emotional aspects of aging has been funded continuously by the National Institute on Aging for more than 30 years. Carstensen is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She served on the MacArthur Foundation’s Research Network on an Aging Society and was a commissioner on the Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity. Carstensen’s awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Kleemeier Award, The Richard Kalish Award for Innovative Research and distinguished mentor awards from both the Gerontological Society of America and the American Psychological Association. She is the author of A Long Bright Future: Happiness, Health, and Financial Security in an Age of Increased Longevity. Carstensen received her B.S. from the University of Rochester and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from West Virginia University. She holds honorary doctorates from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and the University of Rochester.