Science Café

What happens when you mix good food, libations and science? Lively conversation!

That’s the formula for Tallahassee’s Science Café, sponsored by the Magnet Lab and Ray’s Steel City Saloon. This year, we’ve prepared a savory selection of scientific topics designed to stimulate your mental palate. Just check out our list of speakers below.

Science Café usually meets the first Tuesday of the month throughout the school year (September to May). Things get rolling around 6:15 p.m. and wind up about 7:30 p.m., and it all happens at Ray’s, located at 515 John Knox Road (across from the Tallahassee Mall). Our speakers are coached to keep their opening comments brief and informal, so that your questions and comments can help determine the flow of the conversation.

Because of the cafés’ popularity, some talks have been standing room only. So come early for a good seat, to order something tasty or get in your drink order.

Previous Science Cafés

2013 Date Topic Speaker May 7 Sharks, Cancer and Pseudoscience Listen to a radio story by WFSU’s Tom Flanigan featuring shark researcher Gary Ostrander. Gary K. Ostrander, FSU vice president of research and shark scientist April 4 Exploring Mars: What We've Learned Jennifer Stern, NASA space scientist, geochemist, former MagLab researcher March 5 Climate Sleuthing in Caves Listen to a radio story by WFSU’s Tom Flanigan featuring cave detective Darrel Tremaine. Darrel Tremaine, graduate research assistant in geochemistry and cave detective Feb. 5 The Secret Life of Fish Listen to a radio story by WFSU’s Tom Flanigan featuring fish expert Felicia Colman. Felicia Coleman, Florida State University Coastal and Marine Lab

2012 Date Topic Speaker Dec. 4 Lung Research: Babies, bubbles and breathing Joanna Long, MagLab Nov. 7 Beneath our Feet: The World of Fire Ants Walter Tschinkel, Florida State University Oct. 2 Sharks and the BP Oil Spill Listen to a radio story by WFSU’s Tom Flanigan featuring shark expert and marine scientist Dean Grubbs. Dean Grubbs, Florida State University Coastal & Marine Lab Sept. 11 The Higgs Boson: Search and Discovery Listen to a radio story by WFSU’s Tom Flanigan on the Higgs boson. Harrison Prosper, Florida State University May 1 A Star Is Born: Global project aims to solve energy crisis Listen to a radio story by WFSU’s Tom Flanigan featuring Charlie Sanabria. Charlie Sanabria, MagLab April 3 Snakes & More: Biodiversity of the Big Bend Bruce Means, Coastal Plains Institute and Land Conservancy March 6 Journey to Tibet: Science and the Woolly Rhino Yang Wang, MagLab Feb. 7 The Buzz on Bees: Honey Bee Colony Collapse & More Jamie Ellis, University of Florida

2011 Date Topic Speaker Dec. 5 From Bombs to Renewable Energy Albert Migliori, MagLab at Los Alamos National Lab Nov. 1 Creativity in Science Greg Boebinger, MagLab Oct. 4 Climate Change Jeff Chanton, Florida State University Sept. 6 Art in Science: The World of Microscopic Photography Mike Davidson, MagLab May 3 Chromium 6 and Tallahassee’s Drinking Water Vincent Salters, Florida State University, and other panelists April 5 It’s About Time Harrison Prosper, Florida State University March 1 Sex in the Soil Art Edison, MagLab at the University of Florida Feb. 1 The Birth of Modern Science: Who Applied the First Scientific Equation Sir Harold "Harry" W. Kroto, Florida State University

2010 Date Topic Speaker Dec. 7 The Great Unknown: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Brain Through MRI Susanne Cappendijk, Florida State University Medical School Nov. 2 Deconstructing Deepwater Horizon: Catastrophe and Cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico Amy McKenna and Ryan Rodgers, MagLab Oct. 5 From Bio Fuels to Better Batteries: Exploring America’s Energy Future Scott Hannahs, MagLab

For more information about Science Café, contact Kristin Roberts, kroberts@magnet.fsu.edu