Event
Cafe Scientifique DC: Are We All Martians?? What We Know, Don't Know and Want to Know About Mars

May 2, 2006 6:00 PM  to 
May 2, 2006 8:00 PM
Top of the Hill

Are We All Martians?? What We Know, Don't Know and Want to Know About Mars

Kathy Sawyer - Author, "The Rock From Mars"
Dr. Mike Meyer - Lead Scientist, Mars Exploration (NASA)

 WHERE:  The Top of the Hill (aka Pour House) -- 319 Pennsylvania Ave., SE (2nd floor)

 WHEN:       6:00-6:30 Light hors d'oeuvres (Buy your own drink or meal.)

                  6:30-8:00 Short presentation, followed by Q&A

**Free and open to the public.

**No science background required!

**Limited seating -- first come, first seated.

Café Scientifique is organized by a small group of NSF volunteers. We welcome ideas for speakers and topics. Complete a survey at the event, or send input to Mary (mhanson@nsf.gov) or Sarah (sgoforth@nsf.gov).

Directions: The Top of the Hill (Pour House) is located between the Eastern Market and Capitol South metro stops. Street parking is available. For detailed directions, see: http://www.politiki-dc.com/index.php. 

About the Speakers: Sawyer covered space science and technology for The Washington Post for 17 years, beginning with the 1986 Challenger accident and including the 2003 loss of the space shuttle Columbia. Her work has also been published in magazines such as National Geographic and Astronomy. Her first book is "The Rock From Mars: A Detective Story on Two Planets," published in 2006. Meyer is the lead scientist for NASA's Mars Exploration Program. He has been the Program Scientist for the Mars Microprobe mission and for two Shuttle/Mir experiments. Before joining NASA, he was a professor at the Desert Research Institute and an associate director and associate in research for the Polar Desert Research Center at Florida State University. 

About the Book:

"An engrossing read for science buffs and general readers alike." - Publishers Weekly

"She lovingly takes us into the scientists' laboratories and shows us how they finally reached their jaw-dropping conclusion...then shepherds us from the intellectual leap to the political kerfuffle." - Charles Seife, The Washington Post

"Sawyer has a knack for translating complex procedures and ideas into accessible language and vivid images...a gift for political comedy, both scientific and governmental....an infectious enthusiasm for the cut and thrust of scientific debate."- William Grimes, The New York Times

About the Event:

Have you ever wanted a chance to ask that "silly science question?" Here's your chance!

To make science more accessible, the National Science Foundation began a monthly Cafe Scientifique in April 2006. The first event took place in Arlington, featuring astrophysicist Michael Turner on "The Big Bang." It drew 120+ people who were encouraged to ask questions about...the universe. And they certainly did!

Now we move to Washington DC for our May event. Next topic? Martians!

Please join us at The Top of the Hill (aka Pour House), 319 Pennsylvania Ave. SE on Tues., May 2, 6:00-8:00pm for good food, drink, and conversation about ... oh, say, our shared Martian beginnings?

Our speakers will tell us what they know. (Or wish they knew.) Then it's your turn. Ask, anything! At Café Scientifique, there is no stupid question.

Café Scientifique began in France and the U.K., based on the French Café Philosophique, as a way for the public and scientists to mingle and discuss scientific issues in an informal setting. Science buffs (and the simply curious) meet in a friendly pub for a casual introduction to a current topic, led by an expert. The event is free and open to everyone.

We plan this as a monthly event, offering speakers whose expertise spans the sciences - and who can talk in plain English. Upcoming cafés will generally be held the first Tuesdays of the month, but date and location may change. To hear about upcoming cafés sponsored by NSF, sign up for our mailing list by sending an e-mail message to lyris@lists.nsf.gov. In the text, write "subscribe cafesci." Don't add a signature. You can unsubscribe at any time.

This event is part of Cafe Scientifique.

Meeting Type
Lecture

Contacts
Sarah Goforth, 703-292-7729 sgoforth@nsf.gov
       Preferred Contact Method: Email

NSF Related Organizations
National Science Foundation
Division of Administrative Services