The concept: four science discussions for the inaugural year scheduled in July and October 2009 and January and April 2010 at different or alternate restaurant venues.

The science cafe is an international program that piques curiosity and brings the discussion of science into the mainstream. With 2009 designated as The Year of Science, the concept is one we heartily endorse as The Pier Aquarium prides itself on providing community marine education. Our mission "to enhance the public's understanding aof the value and fragility of the local and global marine environment through research, education and personal experiences" speaks to the important role we play in translating science information to the community.

 

The science café movement is growing rapidly in pubs, coffeehouses and other casual public venues throughout the world. No one organization "controls" or claims credit for creating the Science Café concept in the United States, but many science cafés were inspired by Café Scientifique based in the United Kingdom.

 

Sciencecafes.org, created in 2006 by NOVA scienceNOW in association with Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, brings together all science café resources into one single U.S. Web site.

 

St. Petersburg is home to the marine science research cluster of more than 1,200 working scientists and researchers. It is time for a Science Café in St. Petersburg!

 

A science café's casual meeting place, plain language and inclusive conversation create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for people with no science background. Each meetings centers on an interesting topic. We may show a short  NOVA video at the beginning of the program to jumpstart the discussion. An "expert"  opens the discussion with opening remarks and then it takes off from there...with everyone's participation.

 

Of course, before the talking starts, we have time for  free food (graciously donated by the evening's host restaurant) and drink specials and several rounds of Fishy Beach Ball trivia and door prizes.

 

SciCafé St. Petersburg '09 is brought to the community by University of South Florida College of Marine Science, the American Chemical Society, NOVAscienceNOW (WGBH Educational Foundation), various host restaurants and The Pier Aquarium.

 

April 20, 2010 SciCafé: A Sustainable Building

How a Green Building Creates Pottery
Speaker: Barry Flaherty, St. Pete Solar Energy
Where: The Morean Arts Center for Clay., 420 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg

 

Jan. 19, 2010 SciCafé: Building on the Scale of Molecules
Nanotechnology: From Port Security to Sunscreen
Speakers: John Bumgarner, PhD, director, Microscience Engineering Laboratories, SRI International; Priscilla Spagnol, PhD, senior research scientist, SRI International, and Roxanne Ebert, formulation scientist, DermaZone Solutions

Where: Red Mesa Cantina, 128 Third St. S, St. Petersburg 

Click for Notes from the Nanotechnology Conversation

Click for Lyphozome Technology information

 

Oct. 20, 2009  SciCafé: What Does it Take to Be Green?

July 21, 2009  SciCafé: Caffeine May Be Good for You

Is your cuppa joe keeping you awake at night?

Leader: Mark Eichenbaum, M.D.

Where: Red Mesa Cantina, 128 Third St, S, St. Petersburg

Click for Notes from the Caffeine Conversation