Last Tuesday marked the debut of a new series of science discussions in Concord as the Barley House hosted a “Science Cafe.”
The brainchild of Hopkinton's Sarah Eck and Brookline's Dan Marcek, the Science Cafe is intended to provide a salon-type atmosphere. While each meeting will feature several scientists who are experts in that day's topic, they aren't just going to talk at you.
“The goal of a Science Cafe is not to be a lecture, but to be a dialogue,” Marcek said. “Are there conceptions? Are there misconceptions? Let's get them out there. Let's hear them.”
There probably isn't a hot-button scientific topic out there more pisive and more prone to prejudicial opinions than climate change, so naturally the first cafe was a discussion of just that. Titled “Climate Change in New Hampshire: True or False?” the discussion featured a panel of experts.
On hand were New Hampshire state climatologist Mary Stampone, Keene Planning Director Rhett Lamb and Lawrence Hamilton, a UNH professor of sociology. The panel was an eclectic mix that was able to touch on many different aspects of the issue. Stampone handled the hard climate science, Lamb talked about real-life solutions from a city planner's perspective, and sociologist Hamilton opined on the human aspect. Of course, there was a lively discussion between the experts and the audience.
Ultimately, Marcek said, he hopes that similar groups meet in cities all around the world, and he hopes that New Hampshire will follow suit.
“Our vision is that people who experience this will want to start their own Science Cafe in Claremont, in Portsmouth, in other cities around the state,” Marcek said.
The next Cafe, “The Future of Food,” takes place on June 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit sciencecafenh.org.
