Junior Café Scientifique
Originally conceived for adults by Duncan Dallas as "a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, people meet to discuss the latest ideas of science and technology which are changing our lives", new 'Junior Cafés' are starting to emerge in secondary schools across the UK.
Embracing an ethos founded on free-thinking, equality and the sharing of ideas, Junior Cafés can be set up by anyone, anywhere (except in a classroom - the one and only 'don't'). These light-hearted battles of minds are usually based in settings the students associate with informal activities, such as libraries, cafeterias and common rooms.
The Junior Cafés are also student-owned. The students run the café, choose the topic and invite the speaker - a working scientist from any field - to speak for 10-15 minutes. Then the fun begins as questions fly and together they explore contemporary issues from science and technology.