Science on Tap
Seattle, WA
Organized by: An independent group of volunteers, including: Anne Kao, Bill McNeely, Gretchen Meller, Jennifer Wroblewski, Rob Carlson, and Terri Gilbert
We started Science on Tap because we found that, as scientists, we were constantly being asked questions about our work. It became clear to us that the problem for most people with reading 'Scientific American' or listening to 'Science Friday', is that, unless you're very brave, you cannot ask any questions. And everyone has questions about science. So we wanted to start a venue that would allow people to ask questions, especially those who might not normally get an opportunity.
The most important aspect for our event is informality. More than anything, we wanted a place where no one felt inhibited by the topic. We made up the name 'Science on Tap' because we felt that it really encompassed the informality and "easy flow" access to science at our cafes. We liked the idea that folks could come in for a beer, a coffee or a snack and learn about science in an approachable, accessible way. In fact, accessibility was critical to our group, so we chose to have our events in a pub that is open to all ages, so that students could join in the meetings.
Typically, the meeting will start with a local researcher speaking for about 20 minutes; introducing their work or their field of interest. Then we break for five minutes for folks to fill up their beverages or talk to their neighbors. We find this is useful for giving people time to think about the talk and formulate their questions. Then we open up the floor for the next 45 minutes or so to questions and discussion. Oftentimes, the speaker and interested listeners can be found nursing a beer or glass of wine long after the formal discussion is over.