Science outreach on tap: insights and practices from three years ofDartmouth Science Pubs.

Abstract:

The "Cafe Scientifique" (or "Science Cafe") has existed around the
world for decades. In an informal setting, one or more scientists
engage with a lay audience, typically over refreshments of some kind.
These Science Cafes have taken many formats and taken place in many
venues. Some feature a single presenter, some multiple; some
congregate in large venues, some small; some restrict the use of the
powerpoint slides, some do not.

Our team at Dartmouth has hosted "Science Pubs" for three years. Our
Science Pub takes place in a local pub, from 5-7pm on a weekday once a
month. We choose a theme for a pub and select three presenters. The
composition of our panel varies, but we generally have at least one
faculty member and one "less-academic" member, such as a town planner
when discussing hurricanes or an organic farmer when discussing
pesticides. Often we include a graduate student in the panel. The
Pub takes place in three "acts": 1) the presenters each give a brief
introduction to thier take on the topic, usually 10-15 minutes,
extemporaneous with no slides, 2) the "wedding reception" phase, which
is a break during which the presenters circulate to the pub tables,
answering questions and chatting with the attendees informally, and 3)
reconvening for a more 'formal' question and answer period during
which the presenters answer questions from the audience.

Here, we outline the format that makes up a Dartmouth Science Pub and
share insignts and lessons learned. Among many findings, we have
learned: 1) a group of three presenters makes for a lively discussion,
as often presenters 'riff' off one another's points, 2) it is cruical
to have a facilitator, to 'run the show', freeing the science
presenters to concentrate on thier audience engagement, and 3) a short
meeting ahead of time with the presenters is simple and very important
in creating a smooth event, and serves to help the presenters 'code
switch' and adapt language, in lieu of a formal 'training'.