AAAS Members: share your science with high school teens!
The science café model as adapted for high school teens has proven remarkably successful with this important cohort of future adult citizens-and possibly future scientists. In "teen café" programs, the teens have a lively interactive conversation with a scientist on some interesting topic related to the scientist's expertise.
Teen café programs are not only popular with teens; evaluations have shown such programs to provide them with an understanding of the nature of science, an appreciation of scientists as real people leading interesting lives, an awareness of pathways into science careers, and a motivation for lifelong learning in science.
These programs are of as much benefit to the presenting scientists as to the teens: they can improve communications skills, satisfy broader impacts requirements, and bring a new perspective to the scientist-presenter's own research. And interacting with teens can be great fun.
Interested in starting a teen café program or presenting at one? Contact Kristin Bayans, Teen Science Café Network Manager of Network Engagement, Kristin@scieds.com
Mayhew, M.A., and Hall, M.K., 2012. Science Communication in a Café Scientifique for High School Teens, Science Communication, 34 (4), 547-555, https://tinyurl.com/kchmcbte
Mayhew, M., and M. Hall, 2016. Teens and scientists come together at science cafés, Eos, 97, 12 April 2016, https://tinyurl.com/3ftbn7cd
Michael Mayhew
Co-founder of the Teen Science Café Network and AAAS Fellow
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Michael Mayhew
Gaithersburg MD
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