May 27--A nonprofit that in the past has provided workshops on the chemistry of chocolate and beer is putting on its first science festival this weekend.
The event, from Thursday to Saturday in downtown Chicago, is just the latest example of the recent popularization of science, according to Monica Metzler, executive director of the Illinois Science Council.
When she started the science council in 2006, there were virtually no science festivals in the United States, and only a couple of science cafes, Metzler said. Now science outreach for adults has "exploded" to more than 45 festivals and hundreds of science cafes, she said.
"We are not anti-kids by any stretch," Metzler said. "We just think there is a big gap in science, in outreach, once you are 18."
She said she got a B in high school chemistry before earning degrees in law and public policy.
"That is what I think is so fun," Metzler said. "Everybody has some area of science or technology that they think is really cool and interesting and would love to know more about."
She knows a history professor who loves astronomy, a real estate agent interested in plate tectonics and a suburban soccer mom fascinated by rocket science.
The fest, she said, is the science and technology complement to the plethora of arts and culture programming in Chicago. It starts May 28, the 2,600th anniversary of the "birthday of science." On that date in 585 B.C., the Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus predicted a solar eclipse, confirming that it was due to natural causes rather than angry gods.
All of the speakers will come from local institutions, she said, as Chicago is a leading city of science, with two national laboratories, a multiple major research universities and seven science museums.
Leading the weekend is a panel at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Chase Auditorium that includes Illinois Rep. Bill Foster, who has a Ph.D. in physics.
On Friday, starting at 5 p.m., as part of the "Science as Art and Science in Film" event at the National Museum of Health and Medicine Chicago, an art exhibit featuring scientific images will be followed by two film screenings.
On Saturday, at MATTER Chicago and 1871, there will be a dozen hour to 90-minute programs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The topics range from the science behind GMO foods to how the brain processes pain.
All events cost $10 in advance or $15 at the door. An all-day Saturday pass costs $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Tickets and details are available on the council's website.
mmrodriguez@tribpub.com
