Science cafes aim to engage non-scientists in science discussions in a casual atmosphere over food and drinks. Evaluations found that cafes are effective at reaching new audiences and helping attendees learn and retain information on science topics. The NOVA/SPS partnership launched a series of "Cosmic Cafes" centered around episodes of the NOVA series "Fabric of the Cosmos" to generate public discussions on quantum and cosmological topics. Organizers and attendees saw value in the informal setting for bridging divides between scientists and the public.

1. What can we learn from
Science Cafes?
Kendra Redmond, AIP / Society of Physics Students Program Coordinator
Rachel Connolly, NOVA Director of Education

2. • A scientist walks into a bar… (Introduction to cafes)
• Beyond drinks… (Café happenings)
• A non-scientist leaves a bar… (Discussion of impact)
• Café resources… (Join or start a café)
• The NOVA/SPS Cosmic Café effort

3. C A F E
Comfortable Accessible Food Engaging
Atmosphere to & Scientist
EVERYONE Drink

4. Portrait of a science cafe
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln

5. • Break the Ice
• NOVA scienceNOW video clip (5 minutes)
• Start a Conversation (20 minutes)
• Scientist thoughts
• Questions and conversation (30 minute)
• Wrap Up (5 minutes)
• Announce upcoming café
• Encourage continued discussion

6. Common Goals of Cafés
Engage non-scientists
Provide a good science experience
Go where people are
Showcase science
Humanize science
Educate and inform

9. NOVA-SPS Partnership
NOVA: Use the enthusiasm and structure of the
Society of Physics Students to advance reach of
Fabric of the Cosmos.
SPS: Use the structure and resources to introduce
students to a new kind of informal outreach event.

12. Assessing Impact
NOVA Evaluators: Goodman Research Group, Inc.
Specializes in evaluating educational programs,
materials, services
Data collection methods
•Focus groups
•Attendee follow-up surveys
•Phone interviews with café organizers
•Scientist surveys
Organizers Scientists Attendees
Humboldt State University, Science on Tap

13. Assessing Impact: Organizers
When asked directly about whether and how attendance
was meaningful to them, organizers noted that it was a
more important metric for accountability (e.g., to a CEO or
an institution) than a determining factor in whether an
attendee had a good experience at the Café. Though high
attendance may be a meaningful metric for administrators,
some organizers cited it as their primary challenge.

14. Assessing Impact: Organizers
Some noted a fundamental difference between understanding
and engagement and noted that Science Cafés play a role in
helping to bridge this divide.
“Engagement of the public with science and history is actually
dialogue where you make people equitable. It’s not that the
scientific community looks at the public and says we need to
fill their ignorant heads with science. It’s more that we need to
engage scientists and the public so we can all learn.”

15. Assessing Impact: Attendees
•The NOVA scienceNOW Science Cafés are an effective way to
reach participants who traditionally do not attend science
events.
•Over one-third of the attendees reported sharing what they
learned at the Science Café with friends, family, or colleagues.
•The Science Café was either the first time most attendees
had learned about the topic being presented, or it was the
first time they had heard a scientist speak about the topic.

16. Assessing Impact: Attendees
•Attendees appreciated the casual setting of the Café, with
approximately one in five stated that this aspect was what
they liked most about the event.
•A significant number of attendees retained information they
had learned at cafés after three months.

17. The Science Café Community
230 registered cafes
48 states, 5 countries

18. The NOVA/SPS Cosmic Café Effort
• Sciencecafes.org’s first themed café series
• Content focus includes quantum and cosmological topics
• Centered on the 4 episodes:
– What is Space?
– The Illusion of Time
– Quantum Leap
– Universe or Multiverse?

19. Fabric of the Cosmos
19

20. Cosmic Cafes Resources
Sciencecafes.org toolkit:
– Episode summary, talking tips
– Contact information for potential
speakers
– How-to guide
– Episode clips
Coasters & promotional items
“Find a café near you”

21. Looking ahead
• “Café Conversations” monthly newsletter
• Additional themed café series
• Instructional videos

22. Science Cafes: Get Connected!
Sciencecafes.org
- Find a cafe near you
- Resources for hosting cafes
Facebook.com/sciencecafes
-Engage with the science cafe community
Twitter @CafeSciBoston
- Encourage your students to attend or host a
cafe themselves

23. Thank you!
www.sciencecafes.org
getinvolved@wgbh.org