Sample Invitation

 

Hello insert name:

We would like to invite you to be part of our upcoming Café Scientifique. It will be held on Saturday insert date starting at 4:00 pm at the Rivoli on Queen Street West.

A Café Scientifique is a place where, for the cost of a cup of coffee or a pint of beer, anyone can participate in a conversation about current science and technology. Every Café has a facilitator and two to three experts who help to engage participants in the conversation about the selected topic. The Café begins with short talks (no longer than ten minutes) by each of the experts about their own work and opinions about the topic. This serves as a starting point for an ensuing discussion involving the participants at the Café. The Cafes are very informal, last for about 2 hours, and have typically been attended by upwards of 60 participants.

The Ontario Science Centre has been hosting a monthly Café since June of 2005. Our next Café will focus on the topic: insert topic

If you are interested in participating in this outreach opportunity or have questions please feel free to e-mail or call.

Thank-you,
Insert name

Science Department
Ontario Science Centre
Insert E-mail / Phone Number

 

 

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Dear Presenter,

Thank you for agreeing to participate in McMaster University ’s MACafé Scientifique.

MACafé Scientifique is a discussion forum that gives people an opportunity to discuss a variety of topics in science, usually in an informal setting, such as a café or a bar. The MACafé Scientifique is based on the same principles of the original Philosophers Cafés, and was initially adapted for the discussion of science by the University of Leed ’s in 1998. Since then, Cafés have spread around the world, and McMaster’s Café is one of the first to have started in Canada.

Unlike usual venues that discuss science (or other subjects), MACafé Scientifique is not a lecture series. It is an opportunity for a group discussion, where involvement from the audience is the most important ingredient in the success of the session.

A typical Café session is about two hours long. You are invited to present your topic, outline major ideas, pose questions and throw in provocative thoughts in the first 10-15 minutes. After a short break (allowing people to break for coffee or drinks), the session will continue as a question/ comment-and-answer session. We will provide a moderator to ensure that the discussion flows smoothly, but we try not to dictate the direction of the discussion.

To help us advertise your session in the most efficient way, we are ask you to provide us with a brief abstract of your presentation, along with a short list of (intriguing, thought provoking) questions related to your topic. You also are encouraged to provide one or two references to published scientific papers and/or links to relevant websites. The abstract, questions and other materials will be posted on the MACafé Scientifique web page in advance of your session.

You are welcome to prepare handouts for the participants (we can help you with photocopying), or bring posters/other aids (tell us if you need assistance with this). However, because we operate in a bar/café environment, rather than in a formal lecture hall, it is best not to rely on technologically based visual aids for your presentation.

Please let us know if you have any questions, or need assistance. We look forward to your presentation.

Sincerely,

MACafé Scientifique Organizing Committee