6th Feb 06 Cafe Scientifique

Enter You know it makes sense quiz...

We were asked some time ago to deliver a 'cafe scientifique' talk at University of Manchester's Cafe Muse (housed in The Manchester Museum). Usually this would consist of an academic coming along and giving a talk on some aspect of their research whilst the audiences supped a beer or a glass of wine and maybe a bite to eat. But having gone along to a previous cafe sci at this venue and suffered the experience of a) not being able to hear what was being said and b) not being able to hear it either - we decided to innovate the cafe scientifique format to fit a venue in which there is no vantage point for a person to stand and be seen by everyone in the room. Likewise there is no vantage point for a projected powerpoint slideshow to be viewed by everyone in the room. We also wanted to get the audience involved and engaged in the way that a straight talk would never really hit the mark. So, after some brainstorming we adopted the format of a pub quiz with questions and demos that would appeal to a diverse audience with a range of expectations for the evening. Sounds simple enough but Michelle spent a good week researching demos to challenge, test and stimulate the senses and that could work successfully for a team game whilst appealing to people with varied knowledge of the sense.

84 people came along to the event and split into ten teams.

Big thanks to Kath Harrison, organiser of Cafe Scientifique and Head of Public Engagement at The University of Manchester. For details of future Cafe Sci events at Cafe Muse (and to book) check out this link: http://www.cafescientifique.manchester.ac.uk/

Feedback from participants on the night:

"Great for team building and helps learn/ question science in a non-threatening manner. Will keep talking about this for weeks - and that's exactly what science communication needs"

"Nicely conceived session, enjoyable and interesting"

"i like this new format - making people engage from the start"

"Fun! Nice to interact with other people. Made me think - especially liked the dragon"

"Thought provoking"

"Cool tricks"

"Good fun and interesting questions - pitched right!"

"Nice friendly atmosphere"

"A really enjoyable evening - very different to what i expected though! Very cool! Good organisation (usually it has been hard to see the speaker/ powerpoint)"

"Very enjoyable - nice to be involved"

"Met some nice people. Had a giggle. Loved the pub quiz idea. Factual and entertaining"

Some Questions from participants (answers to follow):

"What are the 21 senses?"

"How can the brain feel pleasure?!!"

"Why do musical instruments require the most dexterity from the left hand of the player of a guitar, violin etc?"