NoVa and Science Cafes: a Flexible Model for Public Engagement of Science
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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.
NoVa and Science Cafes: a Flexible Model for Public Engagement of Science
- 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