Geek Alert: Get ready for Wonderfest, the San Francisco Bay Area’s Festival of Science. This free biannual event is an opportunity to hear pairs of researchers discuss and debate the big and timely scientific questions we’re all dying to explore — including who won the Carl Sagan prize [hint]. The previous Wonderfest drew standing-room-only crowds. If you only want the geek light version, check the website later for the highlights in audio and video.

WHAT’S THE DEAL: Wonderfest 2009: San Francisco Bay Area Festival of Science is Free.

WHEN: November 7-8, 2009. [schedule]

WHERE: Saturday, Nov. 7, at Stanford’s Hewlett Teaching Center; Sunday, Nov. 8, at UC Berkeley’s Stanley Hall.