Scientists & Teens Exploring our World
Teen Science Café programs are a free, fun way for teens to engage in lively conversations with STEM experts that explore the advances in science and technology that affect their lives.
Mission
The Teen Science Café Movement is a dynamic, rapidly growing community of practice, which connects teens with science and scientists via the popular science café model.
Cafés are a forum for teens to always be curious and never stop asking, why? Our goal is to empower teens in their quest for leading and learning, as the program is for teens and by teens.
What is a Teen Science Café?
What is the Teen Science Café Network?
What We Do
Teen Science Café programs bring teens and scientists together to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) affecting their lives and our world. Programs are led by teens for teens with sponsorship of an adult leader. The central theme is a guided experience led by teens, exploring topics selected by the teens, and bringing scientists and technologists to a setting where teens could explore new ideas.
The Café events are unique, based on the communities and cultures in which they are held. Cafés are hosted at community colleges, science centers, zoos and aquaria, libraries, museums, and other public venues.
Teen Leaders
Teen leaders are the backbone of the teen science café. They pick the topics, work with the scientists, and recruit peers for the program….and more!
Adult Leaders
The adult leader is the linchpin of the teen science café program. How the adult leader interacts with the teen leaders and the presenters makes all the difference. The “secret sauce” of a café is the teens feeling ownership of the program.
Role of the Scientists
The role of scientists is to provide an engaging story about their career from the age of 14 to thirty years of age, and lead the discussion of real science and what is its impact.
21C Science Café (Concord) (Concord High School 21C Afterschool program)
4-H Teen Café (Rutgers – New Brunswick) (Rutgers University)
Aquarium of the Pacific Teen Science Café (Long Beach) (Aquarium of the Pacific)
Find a Café Location
Use the map below to find a café location near you.
[The teen science café program] definitely influenced my decision to pursue research opportunities in college, first working as a lab assistant and then conducting my own research for my thesis.
Blogs
Spotlight on Café Adult Leader Will Freund
Spotlight on Café Adult Leader Emily MacDonald
Spotlight on Café Adult Leader Bree Oatman
Spotlight on Café Adult Leader Bree Oatman
Inside, the Café: Virtual Café Series
Inside the Café encourages similar science cafés across the nation to not hesitate to step into the virtual world.
Spotlight on Café Adult Leader Becca Holloway
My favorite part of our program is the Teen Leadership Team there would not be a Delaware Teen Science Café without them.
Spotlight on Café Adult Leader Will Freund
Spotlight on Café Adult Leader Bree Oatman
Spotlight on Café Adult Leader Ashley Zalabak
