You grab a latte at your favorite coffee shop and decide to relax in a corner chair with a book you borrowed from a friend. However, tonight is not a typical night at the coffee house. There is a standing room only crowd, and everyone is awaiting the transformation to a Science Café. Ah, but this is not the traditional science talk with PowerPoint presentations or flashy demonstrations; rather, it’s an informal discussion among local scientists, community residents, and a recognized expert. This is a place where one can explore new ideas and share information.

Many local sections are experiencing a declining attendance at their traditional dinner and speaker meetings. Introducing a Science Café to your section is one way to attract the younger crowd, new members, and nonscientists to overcome some of the challenges of a local section meeting with the added benefit of providing a forum for cutting-edge science discussions.

At the 233rd ACS National Meeting in San Francisco, ACS and the Ask-a-Scientist Network sponsored a Science Café at the Canvas Art Gallery Café. A lively discussion among scientists and local citizens about future energy sources and hydrogen technology was moderated by Dr. Nancy Garland from the U.S. Department of Energy. These cafés originated in England in the late 1990s with Cafe Scientifique. “Cafe Scientifique is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. Meetings take place in cafés, bars, restaurants, and even theatres, but always outside a traditional academic context”.

The producers of PBS’s NOVA series developed the scienceNOW series to increase the public’s awareness of science. The scienceNOW programs (with permission of the producers) can be used to support a Science Café as an introduction to a topic or an advertisement teaser at another venue.

The ACS Office of Local Sections has grants of up to $500 for local sections that want to experiment with a Science Café. The Science Café is a great way to engage the public and attract ACS members who usually do not attend traditional meetings. Make it one of your goals for next year: invite your colleagues, friends, family, and community to enjoy their favorite cup of Joe and discuss some science.

Science Café Resources
www.chemistry.org/localsections (see programming ideas)
www-c.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow
www.cafescientifique.org
Desai, Bella. Building New Audience, “The Informal Learning Review,” Nov–Dec 2005; pp 12–16.

Michael B. McGinnis
Subcommittee on Assistance and Development
Committee on Local Section Activities

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