Number nine? Number nine? This month is Wilmington’s ninth Nerd Nite and we have three wonderfully nerdy talks for you to enjoy with your tasty beverages from Wilmington Brew Works. As always, get your tickets from the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science (click that lovely orange button up there that says tickets)

Neon Genesis Evangelion: HUMANITY IS (NOT) WORTH SAVING with Anthony Marino

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a subversion of the Gundam genre written by Hideaki Anno that was first released in 1997 and became a huge hit across many audiences. While initially seeming like another run of the mill Gundam, Evangelion is a series with many deep and intense themes, many reflecting the creators own mental state, ultimately leading to a thesis on not only the creator himself but on the condition of humanity as a whole. Ultimately the TV series leads to the conclusion that humanity’s only hope is each other. I am to explain not only how the show demonstrates many of these deep themes but, talk about the messages that the show shares with us about ourselves and the world around us. Evangelion can seem like a hopeless denigration of humanity and I aim to show others why, in reality, this show is a beacon of hope for humanity.

Greetings! I am Anthony Marino and I think about things too much! I currently work for the UD Office of Admissions and on the side, run a small (emphasis on that word) comic company that I own with a few life long friends from home. Home for me is originally Long Island, NY but I currently reside, and plan on remaining, in Newark. I have a lot of opinions on all things so please talk to me about anything nerdy and I will likely have something to share!

All The Small Forks: Actually Autistic Traits that the DSM-5 Doesn’t Want You To Know About with Stella Mask

The DSM-5 manual is used to diagnose autistic people through a criteria of impairment and deficit. My presentation aims to bring the audience into the common conversation of what many autistic people actually consider to be the important, weird, and fun aspects of being autistic. For example, Dear Lord do not turn the big light! Are you always socks or never socks? Those were absolutely not the words that came out of my mouth! I will absolutely not eat using that big fork. Why can I hear the lights? Down with the puzzle piece hate symbol!!! Yes, the best stimming is sex.

I’m an proudly ADHD and Actually Autistic (AA) educator. I work in accessibility education and facilitate neurodivergent affinity groups. I have worked in international, public, and private schools developing inclusive education programs supporting students with disabilities, specializing in ADHD and Autism. For fun side gigs, I present on disability justice and fat liberation. For fun fun, I sew clothes while listening to Sparks and doomscroll.

How to be a professional mascot (yes, it’s hot in here) with Johnny Garcia

Have you ever wondered who’s behind the mask? How do you get the job of a mascot? Learn about the job, training, sweating and more of a professional mascot.

Johnny Garcia is the Communications Manager at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, a community organizer, and a formal professional mascot for multiple Philly sports teams.