Science Cafe final report

FINAL REPORT

ACS Science Café Mini-grant

Local Section: Kentucky Lake

Application deadline for which you applied: November 15, 2007 (extended to December 10)

Submitted by:

Name: Keith Butler

Address: 5 Lowery Ln

Trenton, TN 38382

E-mail address: kbutler@aoll.biz

Phone Number: (731) 414-6598

Project Title: “Alternative Fuels: Biodiesel, Corn Ethanol, or Something Else”

Brief summary of the project, results & impact :

Dr. Jim Byford a University of Tennessee at Martin Professor studying the development of corn ethanol, and Mr. Parks Wells, Executive Director of the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council were available for an open discussion and conversation about the current status and future direction of today’s petroleum dependency and the role alternative fuels will play in our future.

An eight minute video “Demanding Choice – BioFuels Today” was presented. Following the video our speakers each made a 5-10 minute statement on the issue. This was followed by a group discussion with those in attendance. This was an unusual demographic for our meetings. We had farmers, truck drivers, seed distributors, and fuel distributors present. There were even 2 gentlemen who were forming a start-up venture for a corn ethanol plant nearby.

The Science Café was held at Joe and Deana’s Bypass Café in Dyer, Tennessee on Thursday night December 20 at 6:00 p.m. It is believed that this was the first ACS sponsored Science Café in the Tennessee.

All but one comment taken from a survey after the event was positive. The negative comment stated that the meeting should have lasted 90 minutes rather than 60! Suggestions were also made to take the event on the road to surrounding counties in our section. Our speakers enjoyed the format as well and as their schedules allow may be available for a “road show”. We initially scheduled a third panelist, Dr. Tim Burcham from UT Martin. Illness prevented his participation. If the program continues he may serve as a panelist expert for future Cafés

Estimated # members involved (volunteers & attendees): __2__

Estimated # people reached by event: _24_

Describe any PR generated by your event. Please attach appropriate files or include website link, if applicable. A 500+ word press release was published in two local newspapers. The press release described our event as well as the history and format of Science Café’s. Posters (11”x14”) were posted at our venue, in a near by restaurant, in two farmers Co-Op stores, and in the only filling station in the county that has biodiesel. Also 8.5”x11” flyers for people to take home were provided at these locations. Press releases were submitted to local radio and television but there was no indication of broadcast. The press release and poster may be viewed at our web site. http://membership.acs.org/k/KentuckyLake/ScienceCafe.htm

If you partnered with another ACS entity or outside group, please list your partner(s) and then comment on how the collaboration(s) worked out (both positives & negatives).

Support was given by the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council. They provided one of our experts as well as the video used in the presentation. The University of Tennessee at Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences provided our second expert. Our host, Joe and Deana’s Café allowed us to use their facilities at no charge. They are eager to host future events as well.

If you were to repeat this program again, tell us what, if anything, you would do differently. (Please consider your evaluation plan when you respond to this.)

We struggled to find a venue. There were numerous rejections because of the format we described. Audio visual equipment was rented/borrowed and was less than ideal. The café was put together on short notice and if repeated more time will be allowed to accommodate all involved.

The grant money received: __X__ was more than adequate, _____ was barely enough, _____ had to be supplemented by other funding sources. Please list the major expenditures utilizing the grant funds. (Note: You do NOT need to attach receipts.)

Science Cafe' - First Time in Tennessee!