Science Café a Chance for Public to Speak With the Experts

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – PBS’s NOVA and national science research society Sigma Xi have created an event that gives the general public a chance to dine and chat with professionals who are working to address current scientific and social issues.

Over the past five years, more than 100 cities have begun hosting Science Café events. The University of Arkansas Science Café, coordinated by Lynne Hehr, director of the University of Arkansas STEM Center for Mathematics and Science Education, has held four gatherings in Fayetteville since April 2011 on topics ranging from earthquakes to water quality.

“Providing greater opportunities for educating our population and educators, and providing additional science-based awareness, can only help the public be more aware of how they are impacted by science,” Doug Rhoads, UA Sigma Xi president said. “The audience in turn may be empowered to make informed decisions in politics and in general life that can only improve life in Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas.”

Usually occurring on Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Powerhouse Seafood & Grill, an average of 50 to 75 people have attended each Fayetteville Science Café event. The event, sponsored in part by the Arkansas Biosciences Institute, is structured so that a majority of the time is devoted to an informal question-and-answer session between the public and experts.

“A panel of typically three experts from business, government, the university or community take 10-minute turns presenting the topic from their particular viewpoint; then, the topic is opened to the attendees for discussion,” said Lynne Hehr. “The meeting officially closes after 90 minutes, usually with people still discussing.”

 The next Science Café will be April 24, 2012 with the topic set as “The American Diet.” Future subjects are determined by a steering committee that gauged public interest with a mass online survey. While still in its infancy, the UA Science Café reflects a growing national trend and represents what is considered to be a revolution in science communication.

“The idea is that scientists often present research topics to other scientists but are less likely to share the information with a broader community,” Rhoads said. “Science Cafés help to fulfill that role of expanding science awareness and knowledge within the population.”