A nightclub for nerds makes science cool in New York

The Secret Science Club meets once a month, drawing lofty speakers and large numbers of young people, who yearn to discuss sci-tech issues in an informal setting.

The Secret Science Club belongs to a burgeoning international community of “science cafes” – places where scientists and ordinary citizens can have a lively discussion in a social setting far from the lecture hall or laboratory. The concept was born in Europe about a decade ago, and the “cafe scientifique” movement has spread to dozens of European cities as well as to Asia, Africa, and South America. Even Iran has a cafe scientifique.

By Elaine F. Weiss

Full Story: http://features.csmonitor.com/backstory/2009/03/04/a-nightclub-for-nerds-makes-science-cool-in-new-york/