Abstract
President Obama recently called for more scientist involvement in education. Science outreach programs are very welcome, but to be effective, they must include incentives for teachers and better training for scientist volunteers.
Link: Encouraging science outreach : Abstract : Nature Neuroscience.
Nature Neuroscience 12, 665 (2009)
doi:10.1038/nn0609-665
Two articles about science cafes, written in 2004. These events really are a lot of fun, especially if you were raised on PBS or series like the Cosmos.
A night out in a bar is all the more enjoyable if you can digest some science too. That’s the lesson of a growing movement whose character may be local but whose reach is potentially global — and at a small cost.
via The rise of cafe culture : Article : Nature.
The Denver café, organized by University of Colorado immunologist John Cohen, performs another social function: “I know that people have got together after meetings,” he says. “So when people come in alone, we carefully direct them to potential partners.”
via Pop science pulls in public as cafe culture goes global : Article : Nature
What’s next, science hook-ups?
I’m looking for new venues to host the San Antonio Science Cafe.
Previous cafes were at Ruta Maya, which is now closed 
, Old Town Helotes Bar and Grill, and Lion & Rose Pub and Restaurant. Radius Cafe seems cool, if we can coordinate around their choir events during the week.
On another note, Liberty Bar has my favorite Ethiopian coffee and I need to find out what brand it is. Mmm…
[T]he average Phoenix panhandler works the streets only until he or she has enough money to purchase a bottle of beer or fortified wine, a vial of crack, or, rarely, a meal at a fast food restaurant.
Should this surprise anyone who gives money to beggars on the street?
This month’s Science Cafe went very well overall. Dr. Miguel Yacaman, Chair of Physics and Astronomy at UTSA introduced the topic of nanotechnology to 25 attendees (mostly from our meetup.com site) for 15 minutes, followed by a 20-minute Q&A session, which was then followed by a break. The Alamo Chapter of Sigma Xi was represented by myself, PA, George Perry and Larry Krock.
The food consisted of 5 party plates (appetizers – chicken wings, hummus, flaming spears, etc.) at the Lion & Rose. The conference room at the Lion & Rose at Blanco and 410 was an excellent location for future cafes, with a TV with laptop hookup and a mic/audio system. A few people had a little difficulty finding the location because of a poorly placed sign along the access road.
A few notes: The turnout included some motivated individuals who are interested in science outreach to the public. Two are starting a nonprofit aimed at funding science blogs and other activities, and one has volunteered to assist in organizing similar meetings for scientific conversation without invited experts. This would keep our audience interested in between bi-mothly (or however frequent) Science Cafes. Also, I found that the breaks provided the greatest opportunity for people to mingle and open up. Perhaps next time we will have a break before a second round of open discussion with the speaker. Also, the seating there was limited to 35, which is fine for intimate meetings (which may be best) but would not be appropriate for a media blitzkrieg of the local press. Overall, I believe these meetings serve many purposes of the Alamo Chapter of Sigma Xi, especially outreach and promotion of our presence in San Antonio.
In an 8-7 vote, the Texas Board of Education voted against the proposed mandatory insertion of “strengths and weaknesses” into textbooks. That was close! Has anyone wondered why our representatives are split 50/50 regarding an issue as fundamental to our science (and faith) as evolution? 48% of the US population agree that evolution is the best explanation for life on earth, the rest split between a belief in creation and no opinion.
Pew survey
Scientists often avoid discussing the issue out of fear of political pressure. Further dialogue would allow the public to understand the arguments (and scope) of evolutionary theory, which is so fundamental to biology. From developing drug treatment strategies to understanding human origins, aspects of evolution and genetics are the most successful theoretical frameworks to date. Therefore, the passion of the scientist must encounter the furvor of the zealot if both are to maintain their worldviews.
Science in San Antonio