Students, young professionals, doctors and science teachers made up the crowd of 80 people who gathered Tuesday night inside Slowdown for Omaha’s first Science Cafe.
The event — hosted by UNMC, Bio Nebraska and the Nebraska Coalition of Lifesaving Cures — featured UNMC’s William Thorell, M.D., discussing brain aneurysms.
“The turnout was well beyond our team’s expectations for the first Science Cafe,” said Amber Donnelly, Ph.D., director and assistant professor in the UNMC Cytotechnology Program and a member of the UNMC-led science literacy team that conceived of having science cafes in Omaha. “One thing that really surprised me was how quiet it was in the bar when he was speaking and how intent the people were on what he was saying.”
The Science Cafes are a part of an effort by UNMC and other groups to increase the population’s science literacy. A more scientifically literate populace is a goal in UNMC’s strategic plan. Dr. Donnelly and others on a 17-member team are addressing the issue. The team is composed of UNMC faculty and staff, as well as Omaha area community leaders.
On Tuesday night inside Slowdown — a bar owned by Saddle Creek Records — attendees enjoyed complimentary pizza and purchased drinks while Dr. Thorell began his discussion.
The UNMC assistant professor of neurosurgery brought along visual aides such as a skull, coil and metal clip (used by surgeons to stop brain aneurysms from bleeding) for a more interactive talk.
Dr. Thorell encouraged the crowd to ask questions and attempted to make medical terms more understandable for the layperson.
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A crowd of about 80 people attended Omaha’s first Science Cafe on Tuesday at Slowdown, a bar and music club owned by Saddle Creek Records. The crowd listened to a talk by UNMC’s William Thorrell, M.D., regarding brain aneurysms. |
The science literacy team’s goal with the events is to get young adults interested in science by presenting it in a casual setting.
The next Science Cafe will be held Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Slowdown and will feature UNMC neurologist Sanjay Singh, M.D., discussing how the brain works.
“The turnout was so great … that I can’t wait to see how many people come next week,” Dr. Donnelly said. “There might be standing room only.”