café Scientifique Boulder
Boulder, CO
Organized by: University of Colorado Chapter of Sigma Xi
We became enthusiastic about starting our own café after attending café Sci in Denver, about thirty miles away. Each of the organizers has a strong interest in effectual communication of science to the public. Since Boulder is the home of the University of Colorado, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, as well as many companies involved in pharmaceutical and aerospace research, we are never at a loss for great speakers. Although there are many discipline-specific lectures on the CU campus, our café is a place where one can expect a high-quality presentation that non-specialists can understand. We attract a mixed, but generally well-educated audience that includes students, professionals, and retired folks from diverse occupations.
café Scientifique Boulder meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Redfish New Orleans Brewhouse. People arrive at five-thirty to take advantage of Redfish's delicious appetizer buffet, to order drinks, and often to order dinner as well. Tables at the venue hold from five to twenty, which encourages meeting and mingling with new people. By the time the presentation begins at six we have a crowd ranging from fifty to eighty people.
At six o'clock we begin our program with announcements of upcoming events and an introduction of the speaker. The speaker has only twenty to twenty-five minutes to present the topic. We forbid the use of PowerPoint or slides unless there is a very specific need, and we encourage a lively, story-telling approach that will stimulate discussion. After a short break to recharge drinks and snacks, the speaker finishes the presentation through a question and answer session. The audience always has lots of questions and at seven o'clock there are still raised hands when we end the official program. The speaker always attracts a small group that stays on for further discussion.