AL – Cook Museum: Teen STEAM Science Café (Decatur)

Opening in 2018, the Cook Museum “Teen STEAM” Science Cafe will offer area teens the opportunity to learn first-hand from experts, scientists, engineers and artists about how they can incorporate S.T.E.A.M. into their daily learning. The café will be run by a core group of teens. We are confident that their understanding of the needs of their peers and other classmates will provide a unique learning experience.

Date of inaugural café: TDB, 2018.

 Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

CA – EYH Teen STEM Café (San Diego)

The EYH Teen STEM Café is a program under the umbrella of Expanding Your Horizons, San Diego, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness, understanding, and excitement among young women about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). As it grows, the program will consist of regional “hubs,” starting first with a hub in Central San Diego and North County San Diego.

Date first café held: 3/2017
Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

CA – Southeast San Diego STEAM Café (Elementary Institute of Science)

This Teen Science Café meets at the Elementary Institute of Science.

Date first café held: 3/2017
Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: 

• Member Spotlight on Coordinator Anthonette Peña & Southeast San Diego STEAM Café (9/2017)

Cafe Info

CA – Bay Area Teen Science Café (@ The Tech Museum of Innovation)

This is the first Teen Science Café founded by teens! We started in early 2017 and will continue to host monthly talks by local area scientists from various disciplines of science. We have a very rich scientific community in the San Francisco Bay area. However, teens’ direct access to these scientists is lacking. Our café helps bridge the gap and help nurture a deeper relevance to science and scientific innovation. Our community is home to some of top tier science universities and is at the cutting edge of innovation, resources our café taps in to.

Date first café held: 2/2017

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: 

Spotlight 0n Manav Shah (1/2018)

Cafe Info

CA – Piner High STEM Café (Santa Rosa)

Our monthly after-school café brings scientists into the Piner community- where we all interact directly with Scientific professionals. Teens from surrounding schools, and homeschoolers, are welcome. We first have an interactive presentation where we are guided along some learning objectives- or by our direct questions- we have the speaker follow our path of curiousity. After a cafe themed snack we gather at tables where we get our hands on something scientific. This post-café part allows us to explore, talk, get messy and celebrate learning …together!

Date first café held: coming soon!

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

CA – DSHS Women in STEM (Davis)

We will be hosting various scientific researchers from the University of California Davis. Held at Davis Senior High School during lunch for any teens to attend. We focus on inviting female speakers to share their experience as women in STEM.  Free refreshments served!

Please get in touch if you would like to support our science outreach efforts!

Date first café held: October 12, 2018

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

CO – Front Range Teen Science Café (Fort Collins)

Front Range Teen Science Cafés use the depths of resources available at Colorado State University and the NSF Science and Technology Center for Multiscale Modeling of Atmospheric Processes, to engage the local high school population in science that matters to them. Cafés highlight interesting science related to climate and engage students about the incredible world that surrounds them!

Students interact with a severe weather drone as graduate students answer questions.

Held at Everyday Joe’s Coffee House.

Date first café held: Fall 2014

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: 

• Spotlight: Reaching for the Stratosphere – Spotlight on Melissa Burt (12/2017)
• In the news: Teen Science Café provides interactive education for FoCo students (9/2017)

Cafe Info

CO – The Smart Alec Teen Café (Pueblo’s Giodone Library)

A Teen Science Café to highlight the career possibilities of a STEM education.

Date first café held: 9/2016

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: 

• Member Spotlight: Kayci Barnett – ‘Lead Smart Alec’ (7/2017)
• Café summary: ActivArmor – 3D Printed Casts (11/2016)

Cafe Info

CO – Denver Teen Science Café

Our goal at the Denver Teen Science Cafe is to engage teens all across the Denver metro area in scientific inquiry and discovery. We seek to involve scientists and STEM leaders from a diverse array of fields and practices. Topics and presenters will be identified by the Teen Leadership Team who will help secure speakers and run the cafe.

CO – Belmar Teen Science Café

Belmar Teen Science Café offers Jeffco area teens opportunities to meet & interact with scientists in a fun, informal setting designed to inspire conversation & interaction. Teen Science Café is free & meets once a month at the Belmar Library. Café topics span a wide range of STEM themes from ecology, medicine and astrophysics to design! Topics and presenters are identified by our Youth Leadership Team, who run Café events. Questions? Want to get involved? Email lisa.dibbern@jeffcolibrary.org

FL – Ion Teen Science Café (Vero Beach)

The Ion Science Café is a series of events that feature renowned researchers as they communicate their scientific interests to high school age teens. The Café strives to provide a casual environment that promotes science learning in a non-traditional format. Through multimedia presentations, the Café also encourages integration between pure science and the arts (musical, visual, etc).

Member Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org:

• Wouldn’t it Be Great If I…  A compiled list from the TSCN Member Workshop 2016 of members’ high priorities for their cafés (9/2016)
• Member Spotlight: Woodrow Peterson (5/2016)
• Seize the Moment! (1/2015)

Cafe Info

FL – Youth Learn Code: Teens Use Computer Science for Social Change (Tallahassee)

Youth Learn Code: Teens Use Computer Science for Social Change teen science café is where pre-college youth meet with seasoned professionals to encounter, expand, explore and embrace technology and computer science concepts so that youth challenge themselves to apply those concepts in meaningful, impactful ways that cause each new learner plus at least one other person in their life to experience social change. The first challenge: make someone smile with your technology skills. The ultimate challenge: Build from that to change your world for the better.

First café date and location: coming soon!

Cafe Info

FL – The SciBucs Café (Tampa)

Hands-on cutting edge science learning. Our café will be held at the Berkeley campus café or library. We plan to draw engaging science presenters from our school’s alumni as well as from local universities and scientific communities. If you are a scientist or engineer who would like to get involved, or a teen from our school or the local community who would like to attend upcoming cafés, please get in touch!

Our Café’s contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org:  coming soon!

Cafe Info

GA – MAHS STEAM Café (Monroe)

This cafe is just in the developing stage. The first meeting with the student facilitators is scheduled for the second week of school (August 2017).  The student leaders will decide together with the adult facilitator what themes the cafe may follow and work to map out the year. We plan to identify a site central to various teen audiences in Monroe as this teen science café is open to teens from any school or home school in the area.

Please get in touch if you would like to participate as a teen leader, are a teen who may want to attend a café event, or are a professional working in a STEAM field and would like to explore the opportunity of presenting at one of our cafés.

Date First Café Held: TBD

Member Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

ID – Caldwell Library Engineering and Science Café

Enjoy science in a casual setting! Caldwell Public Library will host monthly Science Cafes. The library is part of the Treasure Valley Teen Engineering and Science Cafe Network.

Imagine you could have a soda and chat with a scientist, a professor, or engineer. Ask them questions about their work, enjoy some food and relax. Now add your friends, who are all in this conversation too. Then toss in a hands-on activity to help you understand better. That’s a teen science cafe! If you’re in grade 6-12, you’re curious about the world, and you like free food (provided by the Caldwell Optimists), come join us.

Science cafes: want to help? Join the Teen Advisory Board and help improve YOUR teen programming! Check with Fiona (fmay@cityofcaldwell.org or 459-3242) to join. Must be in grade 6-12.

Thank you to our community supporters!

Cafe Info

ID – Boise Teen Engineering & Science Cafe

We are part of the Treasure Valley Teen Engineering & Science Cafe network and meet at Boise Public Library’s Main Library.

Cafe Info

IL – Huskie Science Café (Naperville)

Our school has a somewhat unique (yet growing) trend of having a coffee-house-like area, an area which is utilized by 100’s of students each day for lunch and study areas – The area looks similar to a college campus area. This area is also utilized in the evenings for community events; college education courses; and school-sponsored events. This area will serve well as a friendly and easy to get to area for our community as the location is central and safe and there is parking aplenty (free).

Our first Café! Comfy couches.

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: 

• Café Summary: Sharks Mating and the Journey to Bamini (2/2018)
• Café Summary: Solar Eclipse Totality Event (5/2017)

Cafe Info

MO & IL – Gateway Teen Science Café (St. Louis & Cahokia)

What is the Gateway Teen Science Cafe?

The Gateway Teen Science Café is a free, fun way for teens to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. Stimulating conversations with scientists, engineers, and inventors take place in an informal and relaxed setting. Free food is served!

The program is run by teens for teens at central locations in Cahokia and St. Louis. It was inspired by the adult Café Scientifique programs that have become popular throughout the world. All teens are welcome at any Café, and we are always looking for energetic Youth Leaders to help guide and organize the Café meetings.

Where Do Gateway Teen Science Cafes Take Place?

We have a new cafe lined up for each month. Each cafe theme is hosted at three different locations:

The Academy of Science – St. Louis
Location varies by month
Registration Required

St. Louis Science Center (Taylor Center)
4900 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110
Registration may be required, depending on the topic.

SIUE at Cahokia High School
800 Range Ln  Cahokia, IL 62206

Youth Leadership Team

Teens own this cafe. They don’t only attend it – they run it. By joining the Youth Leadership Team (YLT), you get to voice your opinion about what the cafe looks like, sounds like, feels like, and even what food is served. The YLT is a great place to find friends while developing leadership skills that look nice on a resume. Find out more about the YLT here.
Check us out on Facebook to see what we are up to!

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org:

• Cool Café: Cell Biology: How Did Cells Get In Shape? (03/2018)
• Member Spotlight: Holly Pope – Watching Teens and Scientists Grow (02/2017)
• Member Spotlight: Carolyn Noe (01/2017)
• Member Spotlight: Kerry Stevison (10/2016)
• Member Spotlight: Annamary King (07/2016)
• Benefits of Local and TSCN Partnerships  (11/2016)
• Video: Building Vibrant Teen Leaders – TSCN Open Mic Session (11/2016)
• Café summary: Bionics: A Lesson in Biomechanics and Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) / Using a Fact Sheet (11/2016)
• Café summary: How Do Cells Get In Shape?  (04/2016)
• Café summary: Math Isn’t So Hard (12/2015)
• Café summary: DNA Code Breaking (8/2015)
• Things to Consider When Implementing Virtual Cafés (2015)
• Do You Have Trouble Finding Presenters? Consider diversity and think out of the box. (05/2015)
• From Café Speaker to Organizer. Useful tips for preparing a scientist to speak for a Teen Science Café.
• Structure Your Café for Engagement. Using the 5E Instructional Model: Engage. Explore. Explain. Extend/Elaborate. Evaluate. (02/2015)
• Dealing With Mentor Turnover. Communication is key. (01/2015)
• 2014 TSCN Teen Survey – key insights about teen motivations and impacts of teen cafés. The results. (2014)
• A Café Format Change Up. Try experimenting with a variety of café locations and other formats. (08/2014)
• Mixing Teens with Middle Schoolers at Cafés: Considerations (05/2014)
• Listen: New Member Webinar 3: Youth Leadership. (11/2013)
• How Youth Leaders Enrich Teen Cafés Students Often Know Better Than Adults What Will Excite Their Peers (06/2013)
• Getting Started #4: Tips and Tricks for Collaborations (05/2013)
• Getting Started #3: Planning Our First Café. We created a checklist. (05/2013)
• Getting Started #2: Teen Ownership of the Cafés! Our first Youth Leadership Team training. (05/2013)
• The Café Experience: a one page description (handout). (2013)

Examples of past cafés:

KY – STEMinar (Louisville)

A science presentation series lead in equal parts by teen leaders at DuPont Manual High School and the Kentucky Science Center (KSC). Hosted once a month at Ekstrom Library at the University of Louisville, this series offers high-level scientific presentations and interactive discussion from STEM leaders in the community. STEMinar is marketed at present time to both middle and high school students and open to the entire community.

Come and check out STEMinar in the Chao Auditorium at the Ekstrom Library at The University of Louisville, KY

Cafe Info

KY – KGSC Science Café (Lexington)

Our KGSC Teen Board will host a series of “STEMinars” by and for high school students following the model developed by the TSCNetwork. Lexington area teens are invited to the campus of University of Kentucky for a series of STEM seminars followed by peer discussion beginning Spring 2017. The KGSC Sci. Cafes will be structured to promote lively conversation and interaction between teens and the presenter, where the environment lends itself to hands on, small group activities.

Cafe Info

KY – Eastern Kentucky Virtual Science Café

We want to do a “virtual café” that can reach throughout our rural region.

Date first café held:

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafé: coming soon!

Cafe Info

LA – T.E.A.M. Science Café @ LSU (Baton Rouge)

The T.E.A.M. Science Café is incorporated into the national award-winning EnvironMentors program at LSU (EM). Our EM students serve as the core leadership team for our Teen Science Café. Our goal is to showcase STEM professionals in the Baton Rouge community who work on local and statewide environmental issues.

Date first café held: Our first student-led café will be later in fall 2018. Since joining the TSCN in early 2018 we have had several events with local scientists and other professionals who dialogued with our students about their career path and how they use STEM in their work.

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: 

Cool Café Summary: High Tech for Low Vision (4/2019)

Cool Café Summary: Mash Up of Cool Cafés in Baton Rouge (9/2018)

Cafe Info

MD – Science at the Museum (Linthicum)

Each café will be primarily a conversation/discussion with all attendees participating. After a welcome by the elected student leader, he/she will introduce the scientist-presenter. Following some introductory remarks by the scientist, all attendees will engage in a question and answer session on the topic presented by the speaker, while enjoying pizza and soft drinks (or whatever the group prefers). The café will adjourn after suggestions for the next cafés’ topic(s) are discussed.

Cafe Info

MD – STEM Unplugged (Prince George’s County)

We have launched!

In Reach is excited about piloting STEM Unplugged with students at Kenmoor Middle School in Landover, MD. On January 16 and 23, 2019, we held training and orientation workshops for our eager STEM Ambassadors. Students invested time in getting to know each other, completed hands-on team challenges and interacted with guest presenter Mr. Jaracus Copes, STEM Instructional Designer from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Everyone is excited and looking for forward to preparing for and hosting upcoming cafes.

In Reach’s STEM Unplugged Teen Café promotes exploration, stewardship, and inquiry of STEM careers and opportunities. This is done by training STEM Ambassadors, a leadership team of 10-15 middle school students in grades 6-8, to take on leadership roles in organizing and hosting monthly cafés for their peers. The interactive and hands-on cafés will be led by STEM professionals and will engage students at the partner school in a variety of educational opportunities to increase their knowledge about STEM topics and concepts, and support the exploration of STEM professions.

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: Coming very soon!

Cafe Info

MA – Cape Cod STEM Mentoring Network

The Cape Cod STEM Mentoring Network is a collaboration between the local chapters of STEMinist, 4C’s STEM at Cape Cod Community College, and the group 500 Women Scientists.  Our Teen Science Café plans to launch in 2018. If you are interested in getting involved, please get in touch!

Date first café held: coming soon!

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

MA – MIT Museum Teen Science Cafe (Cambridge)

The MIT Museum’s Teen Science Cafes are planned and enacted by the MIT Museum Teen Programming Council. The cafes feature two key components: an opportunity for the high school age attendees and council members to connect with active researchers about their work through short

talks and long conversations, and a teen “takeover” of the MIT Museum, where council members lead hands-on activities and gallery tours of the Museum.  Cafés are free, and dinner is included!

Date of first café series launch: 2017

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

MI – AAHOM Teen Science Café (Ann Arbor)

AAHOM’s Teen Science Café gives students in Grades 9-12 an opportunity to interact and engage in conversation with professionals from STEAM fields. Cafés are designed by our Youth Leadership Team to promote creativity, exploration and learning in a highly social setting.

Every month, students will come together at the Museum to talk about hot topics in science and participate in related activities.
*Cafe themes will be dictated by the interests expressed by the Youth Leadership Team*

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org:  coming soon!

Cafe Info

MI – Newton’s Road Teen Science Cafe (Northern MI)

Newton’s Road Teen Science Cafe aims to start in the second half of 2017 with the energy of local teens!

Run by a core group of teens for other teens in the community, Teen Science Cafés are opportunities for teens to have great conversations and explore hands-on activities with local scientists, engineers and other STEM professionals about current and cutting-edge ideas in science and technology, all in a relaxed, fun, and informal setting.

Please contact Jeanna Michalek (below) if you are a Traverse City high school-aged teen or a local STEM professional who might like to get involved in this free program.

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

MI – STEM@SVSU Teen Science Café (Great Lakes Bay region)

This Cafe is a collaboration between STEM@SVSU and the Chief Science Officers of the Great Lakes Bay Region in Michigan. It will provide students throughout the region with opportunities to interact with local STEM professionals in a relaxed and informal setting.

Please contact Adrianne Cole, SVSU STEM Program Manager, at acole@svsu.edu if you are a CSO, teenager, or STEM professional interested in leading or participating in this Teen Science Cafe.

Member Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

MN – The Learning Jet (St. Paul)

The Learning Jet is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting programs and activities to educate and inspire students to choose Science, Technology, Engineering, Aerospace, and Mathematics careers (STEM), or as we like to call it, STEAM.

This project is the first of its kind donation of a B727 for PK-12 program education. The Learning Jet is designed to help Minnesota students succeed in school, mobilize future talent, and cultivate a workforce that is prepared to meet the transportation challenges of the future. Our Teen Science Café program will enrich our offerings to teenage youth.

Date first café held: TBA!

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

MN – Bakken Museum Teen Science Café (Minneapolis)

The Bakken Museum’s Teen Science Cafe invites teenagers to engage with real STEM professionals to discuss current topics and questions in the world. In 2018 we will be exploring cutting edge science through the lens of Frankenstein as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein discussing the ethics and impact of science on today’s society.

Date first café held:  10/28/18

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: 

Cafe Info

NE – LNK Cafe (Nebraska 4-H and Lincoln Lighthouse Afterschool Program)

LMK Cafe will connect Lincoln teens, scientists, researchers. professionals and entrepreneurs to learn and innovate together.  Lincoln, NE is a center of innovation and creativity. LNK will help grow our culture of innovation.

Community Partner:

Date first café held: coming soon!

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: stay tuned!

Cafe Info

NJ – 4-H Teen Café (Rutgers – New Brunswick)

Our café follows the Core Design Principles developed and refined by the TSCN community.

Our 1st café! Up close with Love and Heartbreak of goats as well as humans!

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org:

• Spotlight on members Janice McDonnell and Christine Bean  – 4-H Teen Café (8/2017)
• Café summary: The Science and Engineering of Space Exploration (4/2017)
• Inaugural café’s summary! The Science of Love and Heartbreak (2/2017)

Our first Teen Leader group! 2/2017

Cafe Info

NM – Mescalero Apache – Teen Science Café

Mescalero Teen Science Café – http://www.maschiefs.org/

Date first café held: 

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

NM – Explora’s Teen STEM Café (Albuquerque)

Explora’s Teen STEM Café is a teen-led project—led by Explora’s youth interns—that engages Albuquerque-area scientists and engineers with teens during informal science presentations at venues teens enjoy. Based upon the TSCN model, Explora’s cafés include three components—presentation, conversation, and hands-on engagement. Each café connects scientists and engineers with ~75 teens to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts and engage in stimulating dialogue together.

Date first café held: 12/2015
Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org:

• Spotlight on Allison Brody & Explora’s Teen STEM Café in Albuquerque, NM

Cafe Info

NM – Las Cruces Teen Science Café (Las Cruces Museums)

Las Cruces Teen Science Café is a free, fun way for teens to explore the latest and greatest ideas in science and technology. Meet professional scientists, engineers, and explorers in an informal environment. Plus, free food!

The cafes are run by teens for teens at the Las Cruces Museum of Nature & Science and NMSU’s Gardiner Hall. Inspired by the adult Science Café programs that are popular all over the world, Teen Science Café gives students an opportunity to explore their interests and careers in the sciences.

Students in grades 6-12 are welcome at any Café, and we are always looking for high school students to join the Teen Leadership Team to help plan and run the Cafés.

Café Locations

Las Cruces Museum of Nature & Science (MoNaS)
411 N. Main Street

NMSU Gardiner Hall, NMSU (NMSU)
1186 E. University Avenue

Upcoming Café Topics

Geography and GIS with BLM Geographer Ray Hewitt @ MoNaS
Thursday, November 15, 2018
5:30pm

Wildland Firefighting with BLM firefighters Mark Bernal and Teresa Rigby @ MoNaS
Thursday, February 21, 2019
5:30pm

Astronomy with Solar System Ambassador and NASA IT specialist Richard Pacheco @ MoNaS
Thursday, March 21, 2019
5:30pm

Volcanos with NMSU Geology Professor Emily Johnson @ NMSU
Thursday, April 18, 2019
5:30pm

Cafe Info

– TSCN National Network Resource Center

Cafe Info

NM – Atomic Teen Café (E3 Children’s Museum and Science Center – Farmington)

Our café has an enthusiastic group of adults and teenagers who meet once a month during the school year, to participate in interactive presentations that highlight our region’s strength’s, industry, and place-based resources, in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art, and math, emphasizing the scientific basis of each. Student leaders will plan, implement, and lead evening programs which will include discussion, activities, food, and an expert presentation.

We are using the Remind.com app to help communicate about Atomic Teen Café. If you’d like to get reminders, please message us with your cell number or email, and let me know if you are interested in either:

• Teen Leadership meetings, twice a month, or
• Regular Cafe meetings, which will hopefully be starting in late Feb. 2017.

Check us out on Facebook!

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: Coming soon!

Cafe Info

NM – SFIS Café Scientifique (Santa Fe Indian School)

SFIS Café Scientifique will be held at the Santa Fe Indian School (Humanities commons room) and will provide students with an array of presenters from our rich state of NM and many who specifically focus on indigenous concepts. Students will explore topics in science and technology and engage with the presenters in hands-on activities.

Please get in touch if you are a local STEM professional, teen, parent of teens, or local business or organization interested in getting involved with this new branch of the Café Scientifique program.

Location:

Santa Fe Indian School-Humanities common room

Please refer to our school map to locate the Humanities building.  You will also need to pass through our security check point and obtain a printed badge to come onto the campus.  Simply show the security guard your driver’s license and they will issue you a pass.  Save the printed pass for future cafes.

SFIS MAP 

Partners:

Santa Fe Alliance for Science: https://www.sfafs.org/

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org:

Cool Cafés: Natural Disasters: Forest Fires and Fighting them with Sim Tables (2/2019)

Spotlight: Kate Sallah (2/2018)

Cafe Info

NM – Socorro County Teen Science Cafe Network – Socorro, Magdalena, & Alamo (New Mexico Tech)

We plan to start 3 individual Teen Science Cafes to serve the Socorro, Magdalena, and Alamo communities. All three will initially be coordinated through NMT, to better coordinate resources (including guest scientists, a college student mentor to teen leadership groups, and logistics coordination). NMT is a great resource for scientists, and the Teen Science Cafes would be an excellent opportunity for NMT to reach students in our rural county.

Cafe Info

NM – BOSS Teen Café (UNM Health Sciences, Albuquerque & Rio Rancho)

We will focus on STEAM-H to help teens develop a connection and identity for a future in STEAM-H careers.

Cafe Info

NY – Teen Science Café at miSci (Museum of Innovation and Science – Schenectady)

At the Museum of Innovation and Science, our miSci teen café celebrates, explores and inspires science and technology, past, present, and future.

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org:

• Member Spotlight: Danette Carll (3/2016)
• Webinar: Make Leaders Out of Teenagers (2016)

Cafe Info

NY – Teen Sci Café @ The American Museum of Natural History (New York City)

We run our Teen Sci Cafés in conjunction with our adult version which we call Sci Café. This gives us the opportunity to tap some impressive scientists who are already traveling to our institution and it allows the students to feel more a part of the community at the museum.

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: 

• Member Spotlight: Leah Golubchick (9/2016)

Cafe Info

NY – Harlem Teen STEAM Club

The Harlem Teen STEAM Club will provide an atmosphere for exploring concepts related to youth engagement in the STEAM fields and will offer a series of forums and programs that will not only expose teens between the ages of 13-17 to professionals, gurus, and mentors in the STEAM fields, but also enable the participants to develop leadership, technical, job readiness, and critical thinking skills using a format that has been developed by a group of teen leaders and the Teen Advisor.

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org:

• Resources for session given at 2016 TSCN Members’ Workshop:

1. Why Partnerships Matter and How to Make Them Work (presentation slides).
2. Building Cultural Relevance Into a Teen Science Café Program (notes).
3. Generating Cultural Compatibilities Through Amended Pedagogy & Curriculum: An Excerpt   The word culture is not simply relegated to the ethnic class of an individual; rather, culture also encompasses the societal aspects of a community. Cultural relevance becomes more than simply about race or class, but about an all encompassing community relevance that supports the growth and progress of those who are a part of that community and its culture. Cultural relevance, when steeped in a STEM program located in an urban setting that is inhabited by those who are of the marginalized class will promote interest in STEM fields and activities, as well as help to generate within participants a STEM identity that enables them to know that they can.

Cafe Info

NY – Buffalo Niagara Teen Science Café (Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve)

Emergency Weather Messaging Cafe, October 11th 2018

David Zaff has 20 years of experience working for the National Weather Service and is the Science Operations Officer at the Buffalo Weather Forecast Office. He didn’t really know about the National Weather Service until college. David wanted the teens at the October Buffalo Niagara Teen Science Café to know they don’t have to worry about the direction of their career path. David started in physics, before transferring schools and studying atmospheric science, the physics theories behind meteorology. He lived in Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Colorado, and Massachusetts before settling in Buffalo and emphasized that careers in science can create opportunities for paid graduate school training, exploring academic institutions of different sizes, and living in different parts of the country.

David wanted the teens’ opinions on a problem the National Weather Service (NWS) is facing. NWS is a government agency that provides weather, water, and climate data, forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy. Their problem is creating the most effective warnings and messaging to facilitate protection of life and property within communities on the most effective platforms.

David gave a few examples. Hurricane categories one through five are based on wind levels. Hurricane Florence, in the first two weeks of September, was a category four, but then the wind threat changed to a rain threat and the category was changed to two. Individuals on the ground in the Carolinas changed their evacuation plans because the danger was perceived to be lower.

The storm dumped three feet of water in a limited geographic area over a few short days. Teens were asked to guess the deadliest weather event in the U.S. Some guessed extreme temperatures, which is a close second to flooding. Teens agreed that separate warnings for rain and wind would be more effective to communicate the level and type of danger created by a hurricane. The NWS circulates the motto, “turn around, don’t drown,” due to the number of driving related deaths in flooded areas. Teens were asked to brainstorm mottos for other weather events.

David presented the teens with another science communication conundrum. Too many warnings. Will communities and individuals react differently to a flash flood versus a river flood warning? What about lake effect snow versus a winter storm? Each of these weather events have a meteorological definition, but how the public reacts to each is the difference between life and death.

David illustrated how communities react to blizzards versus other types of weather events where snow accumulates on the ground. Blizzards are also defined by winds: thirty-five miles per hour for at least three hours, effecting visibility at one fourth mile or less due to snow. Communities brace for blizzards that may or may not result in much snow on the ground due to high winds. Snow on the ground, like flooded roads, is dangerous, and can happen without high winds or much community preparation.

Buffalo area teens discussed how they get information about weather, what weather event warnings they react to, and how they could spread the word about what they’d learned. David left Buffalo Niagara Teen Science Café with recommendations for weather warning phone apps and his number one piece of advice: explore open doors while you’re young.

Social:

@BufNiagaraTSC         www.facebook.com/BuffaloNiagaraTeenScienceCafe

Call to artists: Buffalo Niagara Teen Science Café is looking for a logo. Submit your artwork for a chance to win fossils from Hamburg, NY and Morocco as well as a tee-shirt! Send your submissions to elizabeth@penndixie.org . Images should be 400×400 pixels, 2 MB, and JPG or PNG.

Cafe Info

NC – eSTEAM Club (Gaston, Lincoln, & Mecklenburg counties)

Welcome!
The eSTEAM Club gives kids a cost-free, fun, and safe environment to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math fields while playing and working together using a Project Based Learning approach. This teen science café expands the club’s options for teens to give them access to an atmosphere they can enjoy while exploring topics they can relate to.

We welcome 8-12 graders from Gaston, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg counties. If you’re interested in becoming a Teen Leader or Cafe’ coordinator click here or you can call 980-251-0414 for more information.

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NC – Life and Science Teen Café (Durham)

Date First Café Held: TBD
Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

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NC – Teen Science Café – Catawba

Led by volunteers from Catawba Science Center, Hickory Youth Advisory Council and Catawba County Youth Advisory Council, Teen Science Café – Catawba will serve our diverse community through partnerships with multiple school systems, regional universities, and industries.

First Teen Science Café held: coming soon! Contact us to be a part of it!

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

NC – Sturgeon City Teen Science Café (Jacksonville)

A group of teens getting together to talk with local scientists/presenters about, learn about, and share their love of science.  Please get in touch if you are a teen interested in joining the teen organizing committee! Keep an eye out for upcoming cafe dates and topics.

Date first café held: Interest meeting Wednesday November 14th, 2018 at 6pm.

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

NC – Asheville Teen Science Café

The Asheville Teen Science Café is run by the Asheville Museum of Science in collaboration with the University of North Carolina Asheville. This café aims to meet quarterly, focusing on informing and utilizing experts to bring teens into a conversation about STEM opportunities in Western North Carolina.

OH – Southeast Ohio Teen Science Café (Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery / Athens)

The Southeast Ohio Teen Science Café is supported by the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery.

We invite you to explore STEAM in the world around us!
Please get in touch if you are a local STEM/STEAM professional, teen, parent of teens, or local business or organization interested in getting involved with this new program.

Date first café held: January 2018
Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: 

Spotlight on Jen Parsons: (September 2018)

January 2018 Café: 

We opened with our first café with a discussion led by Dr. Amr Al-Azm, a scientist and faculty member at Shawnee State University who has a background in both medicine and forensic anthropology. We learned how the science of bone identification can be used to help solve crimes and missing persons cases. We even got an opportunity to hypothesize about the crimes themselves. Dr. Al-Azm shared a little about his involvement with recovering and preserving items of interest in countries experiencing war and other trauma. This café was a great reminder to all of us that our future careers in science may require us to be flexible and willing to try new areas of study.

“Science”: Measuring a bone for the forensic anthropology TSC

February 2018 Café:

The February Southeast Ohio Teen Science Café showcased research by Dr. Sarah Wyatt of Wyatt Labs at Ohio University. She and her assistant demonstrated some of the studies that took place on the International Space Station! We thought about how much we know about gravity’s effects on plant growth (it turns out, not much!) Dr. Wyatt encouraged us to explore some of the equipment that she uses and even brought some of the samples that were rejected from the space flight. We had a great discussion about girls and women who want to get involved in science and considered steps we could take to become involved in space study.

March 2018 Café:

In March we tackled an issue that is sure to be more present in the public discussion in the future: “smart” contracts. We learned that the concept behind this mode of contract is like blockchain (ex: Bitcoin) and considered where we placed our trust when we sign on the dotted line. We even got an opportunity to make some ‘kind of smart’ contracts with our fellow classmates (in exchange for some chocolate, of course!)

May 2018 Events:

In May, we were fortunate to have two Teen Science Café events. The first was held at Glidden Hall on the campus of Ohio University and explored the physics behind musical composition with OU professor and composer, Dr. McClure. We chatted about what type of words we use to describe different sounds (musical timbre) and how to change that (filters, physical characteristics of instruments, etc.) Once the balloon demonstration was out, it didn’t take long for the room to get noisy! Dr. McClure shared some of his compositions with us and explained the connection to his inspiration for one piece – the spectral analysis of stars. This café reminded us how integral the “A” (arts) are to “STEAM” learning.

The second Teen Science Café event that we held in May was a unique experience to host a PBS documentary screening and panel discussion about the film, Bill Nye: Science Guy. Held at our local independent theater, the Athena Cinema, the teen leaders facilitated a discussion following the film that centered around the role of science in our rapidly changing world. We examined the impact of climate change, including changes in our own region, and the public perception of ‘hot button’ subjects like evolution. We found that there is a real desire for these discussions and that the role of communication can be particularly important for young scientists to learn.

Bill Nye: Science Guy PBS POV Documentary screening

Cafe Info

OH – Teen Science Café Cincinnati (University of Cincinnati Center for Field Studies)

TSC Cincinnati will meet once a month, tentatively at the UC Center for Field Studies. We have facilities to do hands-on science as well as lectures and hikes!

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PA – Free Library of Philadelphia Teen Science Café

We hope to begin with two library sites, and partner with the Franklin Institute and University of Pennsylvania to bring unique programming to library sites.

Date first café held: 

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

PA – Penn Museum Teen Science Café (Philadelphia)

The Penn Museum Teen Science Cafés meet monthly during the school year to connect local Philadelphia youth to museum staff, faculty, and graduate students through interactive workshops. Speakers are selected and coached by our Teen Ambassadors. Our Teen Science Cafes try to be directly related to the Penn Museum’s scope and mission, showing how the humanistic science of anthropology helps us make sense of ourselves and our world.

Date first café held:  March 2018

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: 

• Cool Café: Spilling the Tea on Climate Change (4/2019)
• Cool Café: Questioning with Care (03/18)

Cafe Info

SD – Sanford PROMISE Teen Science Cafe (Sioux Falls)

The Sanford PROMISE Teen Science Café’s mission is to expose teens in southeastern South Dakota to the latest and greatest innovations in science and technology. Organized by high school students, our group is for students in the Sioux Falls area who share an interest in science.  Each café gathering includes new scientific topics and hands-on activities along with free snacks and beverages.  Contact us at SanfordOutreach@sanfordhealth.org or 605.312.6590 for information or to join us at our next café!

APPLICATIONS FOR 2019/20 Cafe Leadership Team due March 1, 2019.  Apply at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019TSCLTApply

Next Café:  Thursday, 3/21/2019 at 5:30pm, Sanford Center, Sioux Falls, SD
Topic/Theme: Into the Brain of a Neuroscientist
Speaker: Jacob (Jake) Cain, PhD; Sanford Research, Weimer Lab
Activities: TBD
RSVP: (check back)

Previous Cafe’s: 

Thursday, 1/17/2019 at 5:30pm, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD
STEM and Spherical Art with Dick Termes, Artist, Black Hills SD.
Activities: Building Termespheres with 9 or 12 point symmetry.

Thursday, 12/13/2018 at 5:30pm, Sanford Center, Sioux Falls, SD
Drone December with Nathan Hofflander and the Volare Project at Roosevelt HS
Activities: Drone Competitions

Tuesday, 10/23/2018
Halloween Brain Bash: Can a brain injury result in ZOMBIE like symptoms?
Speaker: Dr. Thayne Munce, Sanford Sports Institute
Activities: Test your brain, sheep brain dissections, and mouse brains under the microscope.

Date first café held: Pilot 4/25/2018: Celebrate DNA Day! Speaker: Dr. Jose Gonzalez, SDSU Plant Genetics & Genomics

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

TX – Central Texas Teen Science Cafés (Mayborn Museum and Hewitt Public Library)

Central Texas Teen Science Café is organized by a team of teens from Central Texas area high schools and sponsored by the Mayborn Museum and Hewitt Public Library. We meet monthly throughout the school year to eat, socialize, and hear from Central Texas area scientists and engineers about their jobs, their path to science, their academic background and their research. Every café includes fun, food, and hands-on science.
Central Texas Teen Science Café will meet at either the Mayborn Museum in Design Den (1300 S University Parks Dr) or at the Hewitt Public Library (200 Ste B, Patriot Ct, Hewitt, TX 76643). Check out the cafe’s webpage for the schedule, and be sure to follow us on Instagram!

***
Date first café held: October 2016
Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: 

Cool Café: In My Feelings! The Science of Emotions (April/2019)

Cool Café: Science of Coffee (April/19)

Cafe Info

TX – Brownsville Teen Science Café

Date first café held: 1/2017

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

TX – Dallas Teen Science Café at the Dallas Zoo

Dallas Zoo is home to over 2,000 animals and innovative conservation education programming for audiences of all ages. We do science every day! All Dallas Zoo Teen Science Cafe events will take place at the Zoo. At each Teen Science Café, teens will learn about real world science issues from experts in the field.
Join our teen organizing committee today or contact us for details of upcoming cafés!

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org:

• Spotlight on Marti Copeland (11/2017)
• Cafe summary: Computation + Creativity: The New Literacy (4/2017)
• Article: Teen Science Cafe Proves Science is Cool at Dallas Zoo by Teen Leader Ronak Dhingra (ZooHoo publication 1/2017)

Cafe Info

TX – Cardinals Café (San Antonio)

Southside ISD welcomes you to our Teen Science Café.

Here students meet to understand how and why things work around them. We will learn how to prepare ourselves for the future and meet some really cool people.

Date first café held: October 17, 2018

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

TX – Austin ISD Teen Science Cafe

The Austin ISD Teen Science Cafe will feature collaboration between students of science and our 250 registered partner groups accounting for thousands of volunteers. Of that huge pool are many hundreds of STEM volunteers, mentors, and speakers. We plan to launch the Cafe in the 2017-2018 school calendar year.

Date first café held: 

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

TX – Teen Science Café (Fort Worth Museum of Science & History)

Our Teen Science Café will function as a part of the museum’s Research and Learning Center. Researchers from 5 nearby area universities will be the primary scientist-presenters. The café will take place at least monthly in order to keep momentum strong.

If you are a local teen interested in learning about being a part of the Teen Leadership Team who will plan and run the cafés, or are just interested in attending a café once our series gets started, please get in touch!

If you are a scientist, engineer, or other STEM professional potentially interested in presenting at one of our cafés, we would be happy to talk with you about the opportunity.

Date first Teen Science Café held: coming soon!

Contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: coming soon!

Cafe Info

TX – Gulf REACH Teen Science Café (Corpus Christi)

This TSC cafe will focus on current issues and technologies in STEM in the Gulf of Mexico, including health and wellness.  Our Cafe will launch summer of 2018 and will continue monthly starting September 2018.

Cafe Info

TX – Fairmont Library

This group provides a judgment free space for critical thinking, logical reasoning and intellectual discourse.

UT – Taking Flight Nights: Teen STEAM Cafés at Tracy Aviary (Salt Lake City)

Taking Flight Nights!
Teen STEAM Cafés at Tracy Aviary

At Tracy Aviary, the nation’s oldest and largest public aviary, your curiosity can take flight! New for 2018, we are letting local teens take the lead on a brand new series of programs. Taking Flight Nights are interactive STEAM cafés for teens by teens!

What are STEAM cafés?

STEAM cafés are events in which professionals in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) interact with the public in a casual setting, sharing their work through engaging hands-on activities and discussions. Teen STEAM Cafés empower high school students to choose topics they want to learn about, reach out to local STEM professionals, and plan their very own events. Learn more about Teen STEAM Cafés across the country here.

Taking Flight Nights started in June of 2018 and run year-round!

How can you get involved?

Teens

High school students can apply to be on our Teen Advisory Board, which will meet once a month at Tracy Aviary to collaboratively plan Taking Flight Nights. Once Taking Flight Nights begin, Teen Advisory Board members will work as a team with Tracy Aviary staff to facilitate the events.

Benefits:
-Meet new people and learn new things!
-Practice professional skills, including running meetings, professional correspondence, and event hosting.
-Earn volunteer hours. Once volunteers reach 30 hours, they earn a Tracy Aviary membership!
-Explore potential careers.

Learn More and Apply:
For details and to apply, visit our Youth Volunteer page.

Scientists, Engineers, Mathematicians, Artists and other STEAM Enthusiasts

If you are interested in participating in a Taking Flight Night, please contact us. We will pass your information along to our Teen Advisory Board!

Member contributions to TeenScienceCafe.org: 

Cool Cafés: Baking Up Culinary Chemistry (02/2019)

Date of first café: June 12, 2018

Cafe Info