Our Origin Story

In 2007, STEM experts Michelle Hall and Michael Mayhew received a National Science Foundation grant to create a Café Scientifique program, later Teen Science Café, for teens in four New Mexican cities: Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Albuquerque, and Española. Their program was based on the science café model, where adults gather at casual public venues and listen to STEM experts give talks on their research and projects. Years later, Teen Science Cafés have spread across the nation. View the short video below to learn more.

Teen Science Café Network (TSCN)

TSCN is a free community of practice and support system for those offering Teen Science Café programs. Since its establishment in 2008, TSCN has grown to over 100 Member programs in rural, urban, and suburban locations in North America. Today, we serve member programs nationwide, and the number is growing. Check out our café locations.

TSCN Members receive many benefits, including:

Access to TSCN Affinity Groups
Professional Develop webinars
Downloadable templates and resources
A searchable database of café programs
Opportunities to create content for the Network
Listing on the TSCN map
Subscription to our e-newsletter
Access to TSCN staff

To become a TSCN Member, potential program adult leaders must complete a free training program with our staff and host three teen science cafés in a year. Interested in starting a café or want more information about the process review details here.

For more information on the TSCN, email Sheila James, Manager of Network Engagement, at sjames@stemnext.org

Testimonials

Teen Leader Alumni

I [realize] that through the leadership involvement with [the teen café program], that that was an interest to me, perhaps more than the subject matter itself.

So just knowing that these things are out there, and I can do them, huge …. Because, I mean, I came from a lower economic background and that just didn’t seem possible….

That exposure, it was life changing for me, honestly.

For me the casual atmosphere with a scientific professional, with someone who was an expert in their field, made the science and the idea of actually becoming a scientist far more tangible for me.

[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.

… being able to research things on my own are important, feasible, doable things.

…really care about understanding the basics of science or staying literate or being able to read the news and know what they’re talking about,…

Being able to get my hands really on it rather than just the theory of it was a really big game changer for me.

… my choice, my option to be there and checking out all this cool stuff that’s happening, it was just incredible for me.

Scientist-Presenters

…preparing an interactive talk for an audience of young people helped me identify the critical issues in my work….

…taught me a lot about giving a technical presentation to a non-technical audience.

… the whole process and interacting with the youth was very enjoyable.

…the Cafe experience very helpful as it forced me to focus on the really basic elements of my research and how to communicate them.

This program provided a wonderful opportunity to do both contextualize and communicate a grand technical challenge….

…reinvigorated my interest in … stimulating thought and interest among the next generation of scientific leaders.

…retrained me in communicating science discovery and challenges to non-experts.

It helped me to put many of my ideas in a form understandable by teenagers and the general public.

…made me start an internship program [when I moved to a university].

…important for scientists to get out of the safety zone of jargon and be forced to explain what they do in more general terms.

Teen Café Attendees

I think it is important to be a well-informed citizen.

I enjoyed learning new things and then learning how they are applicable in the world.

Since the Café, I see science everywhere, at the store, on the street, and in the park.

Wow, we did an experiment like that in physics last week….I did not realize that you use the same approach to build things that matter, like the MagViz machine.

I thought chemists just mixed chemicals together all day. I had no idea a chemist would do something like this.

I now consider multiple perspectives before making up my mind.

I think one of the key things is having those great scientists … come in and really be engaged.

… having access to the scientists who are really hands-on, really engaged, really want to reach out to the community [is critical].

I would like to have more information on establishing a Teen Science Cafe in the Waco area. My daughter has really missed this wonderful program [due to the coronavirus] this last year.

Adult Leaders

My 4-H club has implemented a Teen Science Cafe program and it has been extremely popular.

This is our first program that offers this age group a short, casual way to engage in STEM learning and careers. This introductory experience is critical as we work to build our teen programming in general.

We are very excited not only about the program concept but the support and opportunities to receive suggestions along the way – that is invaluable!

I love it! In general, it’s fantastic. Attending the workshop in Albuquerque last year was a marvelous boost.

We feel confident that our Cafes increase student’s competence in and enthusiasm for science.

Exposure to a wide variety of research and science careers has been shown to increase interest in pursuing a STEM career or academic track.

I feel our program has become an important and inherent part of our small, rural museum and community.

The Teen Leaders had a great time and I could see individual improvement in various skills.

I feel very positive about Teen Science Cafe at [our museum]. It’s one of the programs I most enjoy and feel very proud to be a part of it.

Love it. It is a great asset to our outreach program.

Our Annual Report

Each year, our research team at J. Sickler Consulting conducts an annual survey to better understand the dynamics of Teen Science Café Network member programs. Explore the findings in our webinar on the survey results.