Teen Science Café out-of-school programs for high school students (grades 9-12) are a fun way for teens to explore the big advances in science and technology affecting their lives. Teens and STEM experts engage in lively conversations and activities to explore a topic deeply. Rutgers University’s 4-H Program invites teens to explore science and engineering with our faculty. Lunch is served in this program free of charge.
Recruiting 2023 TEEN Cafe Leaders
Teen Science Cafés are a free, fun way for teens to explore the big advances in science and technology affecting their lives. Teens and STEM experts from Rutgers University engage in lively conversations and activities to explore a topic deeply.
The New Jersey 4-H Science program is looking for approximately six energetic and science interested teens to participate in a teen leadership council to support and direct the Teen Café program. This program is for students in grades 9-12. We expect to meet in person (and/or virtually via Zoom) once a month for one hour in the evening. We will design and implement programs in 2023 for about 40 New Jersey teens on STEM topics.
There are two committees Teen Café leaders can apply to be a part of: 1. The Logistical Committee (helping to run back end logistics of the Cafes) 2. The Facilitators Committee (helping to lead the Cafes along with the faculty member(s))
We will be hosting an organizational meeting at Rutgers University at the Marine Science Building on the Cook Campus. Date TBA. We will also provide an online link to join the meeting virtually and participate.
If you are interested in being a Teen Café leader, please apply by filling out an interest form.
For more information or questions contact: Janice McDonnell, Science Agent mcdonnel@marine.rutgers.edu Or Alesha Vega, STEM Coordinator aleshav@marine.rutgers.edu
Previous Café Programs
Rivers of Microplastics How do we study the source, transport and ultimate fate of microplastics?
Dr. Bob Chant, Rutgers, Saturday, March 30, 2019
Plastics are frequently observed marine debris, and there is growing concern about microplastic toxicity. Rivers are a known major source of plastic marine debris. However, we know less about how microplastics enter rivers and how they are physically transported downstream. How do river flow conditions control microplastic abundances, distributions, and uptake in the marine environment? Learn more about Dr.Chant’s research and the global perspective on microplastic pollution.
Hurricanes and Ocean Robots: How is new technology changing the way we study and predict hurricanes?
Dr. Josh Kohut, Saturday, January 26, 2019
Hurricanes are one of the deadliest and costliest natural disasters in the world. Our ability to predict where storms will make landfall has improved steadily, but it is still a challenge to predict a storms intensity or strength. Join Dr. Josh Kohut to learn how new underwater robots are used to study the ocean. This can result in improved hurricane forecasts and better response plans – ultimately keeping people safer.
City a
nts and junk food: How does the food we discard affect animals that share our cities?
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Cities are complex mosaics of habitats that are shared by humans and animals. Join Dr. Amy Savage as we explore the impact of junk food on urban ants. How does it change their feeding preferences and their behavior, and what are the implications for human health and well-being? We will set up our own feeding preference trials and observe urban ecology research in action.
To learn more about Dr. Savage and her research, click here
Cancer: Is it really all genetic?
Saturday, April 21st, 2018
All cancer is genetic and caused by mutations in cells that cause them to divide uncontrollably and form cancer. However, only a small subset of cancer is inherited and passed down through families.
Join us as Ms. Hetal Vig, a licensed genetics counselor and researcher at the Rutgers Cancer Institute, helps us explore the differences between hereditary and sporadic cancers. Find out how next generation sequencing technology can identify exactly which mutations are involved in a particular cancer, resulting in a tumor profile – changing our understanding of cancer and its treatment.
Climate Change and Catastrophic Flooding Risk – New York City Region
Saturday, January 27th, 2018
Join us as Rutgers scientist Dr. Andra Garner shares her recent research into how rising sea levels, warming temperatures and melting ice sheets will increase the risk for catastrophic flooding in and around New York City.
News Coverage – Washington Post
The Science of Personalized Environmental Health
Saturday, Sept. 23rd, 2017
Wearable technology can do more than count steps or monitor your heart rate – it is a scientific tool that can help solve real-world environmental problems. Rutgers professor Dr. Rob Laumbach is using wearable technology to measure the impact of air pollution on the health of local communities. The topic builds on the theme of this year’s 4-H National Youth Science Day – Wearable Technology.
The Science of Love and Heartbreak
February 18, 2017
Bee Conservation: Why Bother?
March 11, 2017
More…Description of the Program
The Science and Engineering of Space Exploration
April 1, 2017