Surround yourself with inspiring people and you cannot help but be inspired. That is the idea behind the Science Café. Though its visitors come from different backgrounds and lifestyles, all have contributed something important to the conversation- their opinions. We are in an environment that is inspired by other's thoughts.
Science Cafe or “Cafe Scientifique” is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come and explore the latest ideas in science and technology, in plain language. Meetings take place in cafes, bars, restaurants, and even theatres, but always outside a traditional academic context. We believe passionately that science embodies the power of ideas that change attitudes, lives, and ultimately the world. We discuss those issues in an open forum. It’s free knowledge and inspiration from inspired thinkers. We want curious souls to engage their ideas and each other.
Science Cafe is a forum for debating science issues, not a shop window for science. We are committed to promoting public engagement with science and to making science accountable.
A knowledge-based economy such as Columbia’s thrives on ideas. The process that happens when people discuss or debate ideas create an ecosystem of communication that changes the way people think and interact. Look around - the cars we drive, the light bulbs we use, the way we fight cancer, the way we use technology all organically from institutions of higher education like the University of South Carolina. The University of South Carolina is a breeding ground for programs like Science Café because of the University’s philosophy of nurturing innovation, creativity, discovery, and opportunity are everything that a Café Scientifique stands for.