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Eat. Drink. Science.
- Who: Everyone you know or don’t yet know
- What: Real Scientists. Real Conversations. Real Bar.
- Where: National Mechanics
- When: The second Monday of every month at 6:00 p.m.
Science on Tap is a monthly science café in Philadelphia for anyone who is interested in getting together with other people to discuss a range of engaging science topics.
Held at National Mechanics, a relaxed, convivial bar in Old City, Science on Tap features a brief, informal presentation by a scientist or other expert followed by lively conversation. The goal is to promote enthusiasm for science in a fun, spirited, and accessible way, while also meeting new people. Come join the conversation!
What's on tap?
April 12, 6:00 p.m.
“What’s in your Air? Low-tech Tools for Finding Out”
Gwen Ottinger, Research Fellow, Environmental History and Policy, Chemical Heritage Foundation
Chemicals released from motor vehicles, power plants, and industrial facilities can have a negative effect on the quality of the air in residential communities. Just how big is the effect? Finding out is a challenge—but several Delaware Valley communities are tackling it with the help of innovative, low-tech monitors. Ottinger will talk about the monitors and their potential for evaluating and improving air quality in local communities.
Gwen Ottinger holds a Ph.D. in Energy and Resources from the University of California, Berkeley. Since 2001, she has conducted research on the use of science in environmental justice activism, with particular interest in how community groups use air monitoring technology in grassroots campaigns.
Presented by the Chemical Heritage Foundation.
May 10, 6:00 p.m.
“The Search for the Other Earth”
Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer, Franklin Institute
With 300 billion stars in our galaxy alone to survey, astronomers are discovering 3 new exo-planets a month, but the real goal is to find another “Earth.” Will we find other humans too? The race is on!
Derrick Pitts has been associated with the Franklin Institute Science Museum since 1978, designing and presenting many of the museum’s public programs and exhibits. He has been Chief Astronomer and Director of the Fels Planetarium since 1990. As planetarium director, Pitts has written and produced more than two-dozen planetarium programs. In his presentations he puts his emphasis on making sure that everyone can come to appreciate the universe as he sees it — not a watered down sketch of the universe, but a rich, deep, complex version with human connections that everyone can understand at some level. For nearly two decades Pitts has hosted award-winning astronomy radio programs on Philadelphia’s WHYY 91 FM and on WXPN’s Kids’ Corner radio program.
Presented by the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
June 14, 6:00 p.m.
The June installment of Science on Tap will be presented by the Academy of Natural Sciences. Please check back soon for details.
July 12, 6:00 p.m.
The July installment of Science on Tap will be presented by the Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Please check back soon for details.
Recent speakers
Click the dates for more information.
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March 2010
“The Impact of Meteors on the Origin and Early Evolution of Life”
Alexandra Krull Davatzes, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geology, Temple University
- February 2010
“Imperialism and the Family Business: Population Structure and Political Change on the Central Coast of Peru”
Lori Jahnke, S. Gordon Castigliano CLIR Fellow at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
- January 2010
“The Origin and Evolution of Beer”
Ernie Schuyler, Curator Emeritus of Botany, Academy of Natural Sciences
- December 2009
"Dinosaur Studies in China"
Peter Dodson, Professor of Paleontology and Gross Anatomy, University of Pennsylvania; Adjunct Professor of Paleontology, Wagner Free Institute of Science
- November 2009
"Embracing Darwin"
Colin Purrington, Associate Professor of Biology at Swarthmore College
- November 2009 – Bonus Science on Tap
"Dramatic Evolution: Bringing Science to the Stage"
Flashpoint Theatre Company, Noah Herman, director;
Derick Loafmann, Melissa Lynch, and Susan Giddings, actors
October 2009
"No Family History: Investigating What's Behind the Breast Cancer Epidemic"
Sabrina McCormick, Fellow at the American Academy for the Advancement of the Sciences
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September 2009
"Bringing Physics to Physicians"
Robert Hicks, Director of the Mütter Museum and Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
- July 2009
"Cold Hard Science: Fossil Discoveries in the Canadian Arctic and the Origin of Limbed Animals"
Ted Daeschler, Academy of Natural Sciences
- June 2009
"The Unknown Skeleton – Forensic Anthropology and the Unsolvable Case"
Janet Monge, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania and the Wagner Free Institute of Science
- May 2009
“How the Tortoises Got their Shells and the Finches Got their Beaks: The Role of Evo-Devo in Solving Darwin’s Dilemmas”
Scott Gilbert, biologist at Swarthmore College
- April 2009
"Take Some Fruit and Pass the Seeds"
Brenda Casper, plant ecologist and professor of biology at the University of Pennsylvania
Please note: this is an age 21+ event, although folks under 21 can come with a chaperone who is older than 25.
Science on Tap is sponsored by a consortium of five Philadelphia institutions: the Academy of Natural Sciences, the American Philosophical Society (APS) Museum, the Chemical Heritage Foundation, the Wagner Free Institute of Science, and the Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
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