Science cafes bring science to the general public

South Bend Tribune : Science cafés, lectures on current science topics held in casual settings like pubs and coffeehouses, have been around for the last decade or so. Although the first cafés originated in Europe, they are starting to pop up in the US, writes Yanan Chen for Indiana’s South Bend Tribune. At Hudson’s Classic Grill restaurant in Jackson, Michigan, for example, programs begin with a short small-group discussion, then the guest speaker makes a 30-minute presentation, followed by an hour of discussion and questions. “You can drink alcohol while listening to the lecture. It is not in a classroom. Be casual,” said Laura Thurlow, biology professor at Jackson Community College and science liaison for the city’s science café. Organizers say they are trying to make science more accessible to the general public by presenting informal lectures in a relaxed atmosphere.