Using Trivia in a Science café
Trivia can be a good way to get people thinking and talking together. Some science cafés dedicate a meeting or two every year to science-based group trivia competitions. Others use trivia to get attendees warmed up while the crowd is still assembling. In both instances, the chance to win prizes for correct answers is a good way to get a whole room involved.
Trivia that mixes popular culture references with science questions can contribute to the lighthearted and inclusive café spirit. Below are some examples from a café on fuel cells.
Q: What's the atomic symbol for hydrogen?
A: H
Q: Your Ipod runs on a lithium-ion battery. What kind of battery does your conventional (non-hybrid) car run on?
A: LEAD ACID
Q: Some people tout the fuel cell has as the "wave of the future." In the movie, Back to the Future, what fictional device powers the time-traveling DeLorean?
A: FLUX CAPACITOR
Q: Who first isolated hydrogen?
A: HENRY CAVENDISH (ONLY NEED "CAVENDISH")
Q: One potential use for hydrogen fuel cells is to power cars. In the show Knightrider, what was the name of David Hasselhoff's car? Bonus point if you can give us the full name.
A: KITT/KNIGHT INDUSTRIES TWO THOUSAND
Q: The typical efficiency of an internal combustion engine is 20%. What is the efficiency of a hydrogen fuel cell?
A: 50%
Q: What famous hydrogen-filled blimp caught fire and crashed in 1937?
A: HINDENBURG
Q: How many people in the world currently have no access to electricity?
A: 2 BILLION
Q: After being run for 24 hours, what common household appliance will typically have used the most electricity?
A: AIR CONDITIONER
Q: Where is the world's biggest hydroelectric power plant?
A: ITAIPÚ DAM, ON THE PARANA RIVER BETWEEN BRAZIL AND PARAGUAY.
Q: What major international environmental agreement (related to global warming) has the U.S. refused to sign?
A: KYOTO PROTOCOL (OR KYOTO ACCORD)
Q: What was the name of the '70s PBS show in which Rita Moreno created her tagline, "Hey You Guys!"?
A: ELECTRIC COMPANY