University and USGS free, monthly talks bring science to the public

Posted 9:03 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024

University and USGS free, monthly talks bring science to the public

Science isn't confined to laboratories; it thrives in the heart of the community. That's the philosophy driving the Science Café series, a free, monthly event held at JavaVino, designed to make scientific knowledge accessible to all.

The upcoming season of Science Café, set to begin on Friday, Sept. 13, starts with a presentation on innovative methods to combat invasive carp in the Great Lakes and other critical waterways. Marybeth K. Brey, a research fish biologist with the US Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, will kick off the series with her talk, "CARPool Karaoke: Using Underwater Acoustics to Combat Invasive Carp," at 6 p.m. at JavaVino, located at 2311 State Road, La Crosse.

The Science Café series originated in 2017 in La Crosse, born out of the March for Science movement. Its founders, UW-La Crosse Chemistry Department faculty members Nadia Carmosini, Ben Haenni, and Basudeb Bhattacharyya, identified a significant gap in public access to scientific information. Their goal was to bridge this gap by bringing science directly to the community in an engaging and accessible format. Carmosini, now with the USGS, and Bhattacharyya, UWL associate teaching professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, continue to lead the initiative, hosting these events throughout the academic year.

"The pandemic really reinforced this notion and the absolute requirement for a well-educated citizenry," says Bhattacharyya. "Science cafes are a great way to achieve this goal as they bring science directly to the community in a way that's accessible."

Science Café events have proven highly successful, frequently attracting more than 50 attendees to JavaVino, at times with standing room only. The events provide a platform for UWL professors and other experts to share the latest developments in science and technology from stem cell research to the future of fuels. Attendees enjoy a meal and beverages in an informal and relaxed setting, making science approachable.

Brey's upcoming talk will delve into how underwater acoustics can be used to deter invasive carp-a pressing issue for the Great Lakes and other major waterways. This innovative approach has shown promise in preliminary studies and could offer a viable solution to a significant environmental challenge.

Arrive early to order your favorite beverage and meal, and be part of a vibrant community conversation about the latest in scientific research and discovery.

If you go

What: Science Café kickoff presentation: "CARPool Karaoke: Using Underwater Acoustics to Combat Invasive Carp"

When: 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13

Where: Java Vino, 2311 State Road, La Crosse.

Cost: Free

Follow the La Crosse Science Café series on Facebook.

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