National Geographic speaker series at Perot Museum in Dallas begins this week

DALLAS — National Geographic will be hosting a three-part speaker series at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas this year, and the first event is happening this week.

One-handed climber Maureen Beck, who was also the 2019 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, will kick off the speaker series on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m.

Beck will be talking about her experiences as a world-champion paraclimber and how she attempted the first unassisted adaptive climb of the Lotus Flower Tower at Canada’s Cirque of the Unclimbables.

“By inviting these three incredible women to tell their fascinating stories, we’re continuing to focus on STEM learning, while further strengthening our connection with the community. The Perot Museum is a place for everyone, and this series truly embodies that spirit,” Dr. Linda Silver, Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer of the Perot Museum, said in a news release.

The next event on Wednesday, April, 26, will feature photographer and filmmaker Ami Vitale, who is known worldwide for documenting rare wildlife such as northern white rhinos, giant pandas and African elephants.

The speaker series will end on Wednesday, Oct. 11, with Kakani Katija and her experiences researching the ocean’s midwaters. Katija was once on the U.S. international figure skating team and now uses her skills as a certified research diver to study throughout the world.

Tickets for each event can be purchased here.