In an effort to boost young adults’ interest in science, the University of Nebraska Medical Center is teaming with the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures and Bio Nebraska to host two "Science Cafes" in February.
The cafes are informal science discussions at local coffeehouses and bars.
"This format leads to face-to-face discussions in a more informal, fun environment," said Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs at UNMC. "We’re hopeful that the Science Cafes will appeal to young adults and help re-introduce them to science."
The two "Science Cafes" will be held Feb. 3 and Feb. 10 at the Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St., in Omaha.
William Thorell, M.D., will present at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 3. An assistant professor of neurosurgery at UNMC, Dr. Thorell will discuss high-tech brain surgery. On Feb. 10, Sanjay Singh, M.D., will discuss how the brain works, beginning at 7:30 p.m. An expert in epilepsy, Dr. Singh is an associate professor in the department of neurological sciences.
"Other academic health science centers have used this type of event to engage younger audiences in science, and we’re confident that our Science Cafes will do the same," said Kacie Gerard, special events associate at UNMC. "The Slowdown should be a great venue for these discussions."
Free pizza will be provided by Nebraskan Coalition for Lifesaving Cures for the first 50 people to arrive at each cafe.
The Science Cafes are part of an effort by UNMC and other groups to increase the population’s science literacy. A more scientifically literate populace is a goal in UNMC’s strategic plan, and a 17-member team comprising UNMC faculty and staff, as well as Omaha area community leaders, is addressing the issue.
"A public armed with facts and understanding of science is better able to appreciate and apply scientific advances and to vote knowledgeably on ballot issues and initiatives related to science," said UNMC’s James Turpen, Ph.D., the leader of the science literacy team. "As the state’s academic health sciences center, it’s natural for us to be among the leading proponents for science literacy in Nebraska."
The team has met since the summer and identified three areas of focus:
- Providing assistance and resources to the state’s elementary and secondary school science teachers;
- Establishing public education programs to increase interest in science among young adults; and
- Creating a mobile science laboratory that serves as an educational resource for students around the state.
For more information on the Science Cafes, visit www.unmc.edu/sciencecafe.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources now exceeds $82 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,400 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 513 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.