Health/Science calendar

Science on Screen features "Contact" The Coolidge Corner Theatre focuses on the possibility of life beyond Earth with a screening of "Contact," the 1997 big-screen adaptation of Carl Sagan's novel of the same name. Before the film, astrophysicist and Harvard professor of Physics and of Electrical Engineering Paul Horowitz will give a talk on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Horowitz and his work are believed to have been the inspiration for Sagan's novel. At 7 p.m., at 290 Harvard St. Science on Screen programs are $9.75 regular admission or $7.75 for seniors, students, and Museum of Science members. Go to www.coolidge.org/science or call 617-734-2500.

World AIDS Day MIT will host a series of events, including "The Wisdom of Whores: Bureaucrats, Brothels, and the Business of AIDS" with epidemiologist Elizabeth Pisani. Pisani challenges conventional wisdom and the strategy of governments and nongovernmental organizations about what will end the AIDS epidemic. At 7 p.m., at 265 Massachusetts Ave. Go to http://web.mit.edu/worldaidsday/2008/.

Winterlight: Stars and Symbols of the Solstice Celebrate the winter season with the seasonal planetarium show and explore the legends and lore of the winter solstice. This 50-minute planetarium show for children in kindergarten through Grade 8 shows the meaning of the solstice to ancient peoples across the world. At 1 Science Park. Go to www.mos.org.

Profitable Solutions to Climate, Oil, and Proliferation Amory Lovins, founder and chief scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute, will discuss the future of energy. Lovins is the recipient of many international accolades, including a MacArthur Fellowship and the Right Livelihood award. He has lately led the redesign of over $30 billion worth of facilities in 29 sectors for radical energy and resource efficiency. At 5 p.m., at 1 Oxford St. Call 617-495-8883.

Events may be sent to healthscience@globe.com.