Tacoma Science Cafe - Family Fun (and it's Free!)

On Tuesday, June 11, you will probably find us at the Swiss Restaurant and Pub in Tacoma for another Tacoma Science Cafe.  This month’s topic is one of the more interesting ones I've seen thus far.  "Using Genetics & Whale Poop to Save Orcas" and it will be presented by NOAA's Jennifer Hempelmann.
 
We’ve been attending these regularly for two years now and it’s a wonderful evening for anyone with an interest in science.  Kids are welcome although adults make up the majority of the audience.  The Pacific Science Center does a great job with choosing scientists who are skilled at explaining their fields to lay people.  There is nothing stuffy or intimidating about it.  My children love the “Q & A” portion of the evening and the presenters always welcome their inclusion in the discussion.

Some of our favorite topics have been Bears in the Northwest (our first Science Café when it was still held at the Harmon, as documented in one for my first blog posts), The Physics of Music, Exoplanet Research, Archaeological Exploration in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, and Climate Change and the Arctic Ocean.  KCPQ, a partner in the Science Café program, tapes each one and previous Science Cafes are available here on the internet for viewing.

Here is how the Pacific Science Center describes their Science Cafes:

"Science Cafés bring scientists face-to-face with the general public in the comfortable, lively atmosphere of a neighborhood café or pub. The evening begins with a brief presentation by a scientist, which kicks off an extended discussion session between the scientist and audience. Previous cafés have covered climate science, evolution and religion, robotics, and health care, just to name a few. All Science Cafés are free to the public, open to all ages and no science background is required. Pacific Science Center and KCTS 9 Public Television currently hold Science Cafés in three locations:

Queen Anne Science Café:  First Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. T.S. McHugh's, 21 Mercer Street, Seattle. Formerly known as Science on Tap.
Eastside Science Café:  Second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Wilde Rover, 111 Central Way, Kirkland.
Tacoma Science Café:  Second Tuesday each month at 6:30 p.m. The Swiss Restaurant & Pub, 1904 Jefferson Avenue, Tacoma."

I recommend arriving early as some of the Cafe topics are very popular.  Sharing a table if you have open seats is common.  We try to get there around 5 or 5:30 and we order dinner before it gets crowded.  The Swiss offers their full menu and bar before and during the Cafe.  Service right before and during the presentation tends to be very slow so give yourself plenty of time if you are having dinner first. 

The presentation usually wraps up around 8pm but it is not unusual for the scientist to sit down to sample some of our excellent local brews with participants and extend the conversation. This is a casual and fun atmosphere so don’t be surprised if lively discussions about the subject spring up at and around your table.  It’s a social event and not a boring lecture.  In fact, the majority of the time is devoted to the Q & A portion so audience participation is encouraged.

Now that the weather is improving and the days are getting longer, give yourself some time before or after the Café to take a stroll around the area.  Right across the street to the east is the University of Washington Tacoma with stairs and paths leading through the landscaped campus.  A little further down the hill is the Washington State History Museum.  Behind it is the Bridge of Glass, crossing the train tracks to the Museum of Glass.  The boardwalk there along the Thea Foss waterway is a great stroll with views of Mt. Rainier, the marina, and some beautiful art installations.

There is free parking on the west side of the Swiss (behind the Swiss) along Market Street if the parking along Jefferson is full, as it often is.