Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

Carolina Science Cafe | Nutrition Science & Flashy Headlines
2025-01-07 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Red dye, seed oils, and corn syrup, oh my! What nutrition science really says about what’s healthy to eat.

Join us for the next installment of the Carolina Science Cafe, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s free, current science awareness program. For the January Cafe, we will be joined by Dr. Lindsey Smith Taillie from the UNC Department of Nutrition in the Gillings School of Public Health to discuss recent nutrition headlines, the science behind them, and why it’s all so confusing.

Designed for adults, this program explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the headlines. The Carolina Science Cafe is hosted at Haw River Tab & Table in Carrboro on Tuesday, January 7th, starting at 6:00 p.m. with light appetizers available for all attendees. Parking is available in the parking deck behind the building if the lot out front if full.

Is bacon more harmful than our health than cigarettes? Is chocolate good for our hearts or not? And what’s the deal with eggs, anyway? Nutrition is often in the headlines after new studies are released, often with confusing results and recommendations that flip flop.

In this presentation, we’ll talk about recent nutrition headlines, the science behind them, and why it’s all so confusing. We’ll also cover how the food industry has interfered with nutrition science and policy and generated a lot of the noise. Lastly, we’ll explore what the data actually tell us about what’s healthy (and not) as well as some potential policy options to make the healthier choice the easier choice.

About the Speaker

Lindsey Smith Taillie is an associate professor and associate chair of nutrition at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on examining how the food environment affects unhealthy diets, obesity, and diabetes as well as evaluating food policies to promote healthier diets in the US and globally.

Dr. Taillie is co-director of the Global Food Research Program and currently co-leads a large multi-country project to inform and evaluate an array of healthy food policies around the world including in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. In the US, her work has focused on policies including marketing restrictions, nutrition labels, taxes on sugary drinks, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program and WIC, and school foods. Dr. Taillie’s food policy work has been featured in many major news outlets, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and The Guardian.

Click Here to Learn More About Dr. Taillie’s Work

The Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Teen Science Cafe
2025-01-24 17:30 - 19:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Teen Science Cafe in January! 📚

Please join us at Morehead Planetarium on Friday, January 24th for a very exciting Teen Science Cafe! We are still waiting to confirm our speaker, but we want to make sure you get this exciting program on your calendar. The Morehead Teen Science Cafe is where learning meets fun in a space-themed setting. Located on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center has a history of training astronauts for moon missions, has a giant dome theater, schedules frequent shows, and so much more.Our monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers, and even free food! Plus, we cover a variety of different topics, ranging from cell biology to deep space galaxies, making it a one-of-a-kind spot for high school students to explore new ideas, interact with each other, and have fun!The right doors up the big stairs will open at 5:30 for pizza and conversation. The cafe will start at 6:00 and wrap up around 7:00ish.

Program Schedule

5:30 pm – Arrive and check in. We will gather inside the west, main entrance of Morehead.

5:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Pizza social. Pizza social will take place in our classrooms, located on the 2nd floor.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Discussion & activities. Trivia will also take place in the Full Dome Theather.

*Please Note: Depending on scheduled activities, the program may end between 7:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Carolina Science Cafe | Solar Fuels
2025-02-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
From Sunlight to Sweet Fuels: How Plants Do It

Join us for the next installment of the Carolina Science Cafe, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s free, current science awareness program. For the February Cafe, we will be joined by Dr. Seun Oyetade from the Cahoon Group in the UNC Department of Chemistry to discuss his research on solar fuels. You can read more in a recent article published by Dave DeFusco titled “Innovative Fuzzy Graphene Technique Paving the Way for Carbon-Neutral Economy.”

Designed for adults, this program explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the headlines. The Carolina Science Cafe is hosted at Haw River Tab & Table in Carrboro on Tuesday, February 4th, starting at 6:00 p.m. with light appetizers available for all attendees. Parking is available in the parking deck behind the building if the lot out front if full.

In this exciting talk, we will discuss the groundbreaking world of solar fuels – a sustainable technology that aims to use sunlight to convert greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, into useful, renewable fuels. Learn how scientists are working to capture earth’s abundant energy source, convert it into chemical fuels, and pave the way for a cleaner, sustainable future. Discover how solar fuels could be the key to a carbon-free world and solving the global energy crisis.

About the Speaker

Dr. Seun Oyetade obtained his PhD degree in Environmental Physical Chemistry from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and currently serves as a postdoctoral research associate at the Cahoon Laboratory at UNC. His research focuses on understanding the physical properties of nanomaterials through chemical synthesis, and their application in wastewater remediation and solar energy.

The Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Science for All Summit
2025-03-03 08:00 - 2025-03-04 15:00 | Friday Conference Center, 100 Friday Center Dr, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517, United States
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center hosted the inaugural Science for All Summit in April 2023 and the second annual Summit in February 2024. We are already looking forward to hosting the third annual Summit on March 3-4, 2025.

The Summit is a community convening to advance access and opportunity in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. The purpose of the Summit is to engage educators, practitioners, researchers, thought leaders, and other change agents in conversation and knowledge-building around emerging issues and innovative strategies related to advancing access in STEM. Putting these ideals into practice requires an intentional focus on creating authentic and adaptive environments while simultaneously cultivating a community that collaborates, innovates, and implements promising practices shown to effect sustainable change. At the Summit, we will provide opportunities to share new research findings, exchange resources, discuss strategies, and demonstrate effective practices and interventions.

The 2025 program will include keynote addresses by Dr. André Isaacs, Dr. Valencia Hicks-Harris, Dr. Terrell R. Morton, and Dr. Crystal Harden.

Learn more about the Summit

Carolina Science Cafe | Brain-Machine Interfaces
2025-03-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Connecting Minds with Machines

Join us for the next installment of the Carolina Science Cafe, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s free, current science awareness program. For the March Cafe, we will be joined by Dr. Amol P. Yadav from the UNC-NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNC-Chapel Hill to discuss his research on brain-spine interfaces, multi-animal brain-nets and closed-loop stimulation.

Designed for adults, this program explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the headlines. The Carolina Science Cafe is hosted at Haw River Tab & Table in Carrboro on Tuesday, March 4th, starting at 6:00 p.m. with light appetizers available for all attendees. Parking is available in the parking deck behind the building if the lot out front if full.

About the Speaker

Dr. Amol Yadav is an Assistant Professor in the UNC-NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNC-Chapel Hill. He earned his PhD in Biomedical Engineering in 2015 from Duke University in the laboratory of Dr. Miguel Nicolelis, where he developed tools to advance brain-machine interfaces using spinal cord neuromodulation, and pioneered technologies such as brain-spine interfaces, multi-animal brain-nets and closed-loop stimulation

His research lies at the intersection of Neuroscience and Engineering, and his lab specializes in spinal cord stimulation, high-density neural recording, computational modeling, behavioral experimentation in rodents and human clinical trials with invasive technologies. To advance translational ideas and to bridge the gap between pre-clinical and clinical research, the lab collaborates with surgeons, clinicians, basic scientists, and other engineers.

The Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Teen Science Cafe | Psychology
2025-03-21 17:30 - 19:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
The Science of Individuality: A Psychological Exploration of What Makes You, You

Please join us at Morehead Planetarium on Friday, March 21st for a very exciting Teen Science Cafe! After unfortunately cancelling last month’s cafe due to inclement weather, we will welcome Dylan Wood, AP Psychology teacher from Chapel Hill High School, for an in-depth look at the concept of nature versus nurture.Exploring the timeless debate of nature vs. nurture, this seminar delves into what makes individuals unique. We will examine the factors that shape personal preferences, behaviors, and inclinations, uncovering the psychological and environmental influences that drive what we like and how we see the world.

Our monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers, and even free food! Plus, we cover a variety of different topics, ranging from cell biology to deep space galaxies, making it a one-of-a-kind spot for high school students to explore new ideas, interact with each other, and have fun!

The Morehead Teen Science Cafe is where learning meets fun in a space-themed setting. Located on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center has a history of training astronauts for moon missions, has a giant dome theater, schedules frequent shows, and so much more.The right doors up the big stairs will open at 5:30 for pizza and conversation. The cafe will start at 6:00 and wrap up around 7:00ish.

About the Speaker

Dylan Wood is an award-winning AP Psychology teacher at Chapel Hill High School. He studied History and Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and later earned a Masters in the Art of Teaching from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In his free time, he likes to read, coach track and field, and spend time with friends and family.

Program Schedule

5:30 pm – Arrive and check in. We will gather inside the west, main entrance of Morehead.

5:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Pizza social. Pizza social will take place in our classrooms, located on the 2nd floor.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Discussion & activities. The presentation and discussion will take place in our educational space.

*Please Note: Depending on scheduled activities, the program may end between 7:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Science for All: A Sensory-Friendly Science Night
2025-03-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Join Us at Science for All: A Sensory-Friendly Science Night!

Experience the wonders of science in a sensory-friendly environment! On Sunday, March 23, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will host a special event featuring interactive activities, engaging fulldome theater shows, captivating exhibits, and dynamic science performances. With changes made to fit various sensory sensitivities, this event is perfect for all ages and offers a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy science.

Learn More

Carolina Science Cafe | Red Wolves
2025-04-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
NC State’s Real Life Wolf Pack

Join us for the next installment of the Carolina Science Cafe, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s free, current science awareness program. For the April Cafe, we will be joined by Dr. Tara Harrison, an Associate Professor of Zoo and Exotic Animal Medicine at NC State and faculty advisor for the Carnivore Conservation Crew, an organization that manages and cares for critically endangered red wolves as part of USFW and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums SAFE program for Red Wolves.

This presentation will introduce attendees to red wolves in North Carolina and the role that NC State College of Veterinary Medicine (NCSU CVM) plays in helping conserve this critically endangered species. Red wolves are the most endangered canid species on the planet, and they are only native to North Carolina.

Designed for adults, this program explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the headlines. The Carolina Science Cafe is hosted at Haw River Tab & Table in Carrboro on Tuesday, April 1st, starting at 6:00 p.m. with light appetizers available for all attendees. Parking is available in the parking deck behind the building if the lot out front if full.

About the Speaker

Dr. Tara Harrison graduated from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine with her DVM degree. Afterward, she earned a Masters of Preventive Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of California-Davis. She did veterinary internships at Toledo Zoo and Wildlife Safari. She has worked at Potter Park Zoo and as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Michigan State University. She then went back to UC Davis and the Sacramento Zoo as an Assistant Professor.

She is currently an Associate Professor at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine Zoo and Exotic Animal Medicine Service. She is board certified in the American College of Zoological Medicine, the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, and the European College of Zoological Medicine (Zoo Health Management).

Learn More About Dr. Harrison’s Work

The Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Teen Science Cafe
2025-04-25 17:30 - 19:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Teen Science Cafe in April for the NC Science Festival!

Please join us at Morehead Planetarium on Friday, April 25th for a very exciting Teen Science Cafe! We are still waiting to confirm our speaker, but we want to make sure you get this exciting program on your calendar.The Morehead Teen Science Cafe is where learning meets fun in a space-themed setting. Located on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center has a history of training astronauts for moon missions, has a giant dome theater, schedules frequent shows, and so much more.Our monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers, and even free food! Plus, we cover a variety of different topics, ranging from cell biology to deep space galaxies, making it a one-of-a-kind spot for high school students to explore new ideas, interact with each other, and have fun!The right doors up the big stairs will open at 5:30 for pizza and conversation. The cafe will start at 6:00 and wrap up around 7:00ish.

Program Schedule

5:30 pm – Arrive and check in. We will gather inside the west, main entrance of Morehead.

5:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Pizza social. Pizza social will take place in our classrooms, located on the 2nd floor.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Discussion & activities. Trivia will also take place in the Full Dome Theather.

*Please Note: Depending on scheduled activities, the program may end between 7:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Carolina Science Cafe | Headline News: Critical Minerals
2025-05-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Join us for our next installment of the Carolina Science Cafe, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s free, current science awareness program. For the May cafe, we will welcome Amy Pitts, Senior Geologist for Education and Outreach at the North Carolina Geological Survey.

If you’re paying attention to the current international news cycles, you’ve certainly heard about critical minerals and rare earth elements. If you been wondering why these minerals are making headlines, you’re not alone! Join us to find out what those critical minerals are, why we need them, why they’re so darn critical, and how the North Carolina Geological Survey is helping in the efforts to find them in our state.

Designed for adults, this program explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the headlines. The Carolina Science Cafe is hosted at Haw River Tab & Table in Carrboro on Tuesday, May 6th, starting at 6:00 p.m. with light appetizers available for all attendees.

About the Speaker

Amy Pitts, P.G. has a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and a master’s degree in geology from the University of Florida. She’s been a geologist for 23 years and has worked as a hydrogeologist consultant, as a state regulator, and as a college instructor. Currently, she is the Senior Geologist for Education and Outreach for the North Carolina Geological Survey where she combines here two professional passions – geology and education.

Learn More

Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Teen Science Cafe
2025-05-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Teen Science Cafe in January!

Please join us at Morehead Planetarium on Friday, May 16th for a very exciting Teen Science Cafe! We are still waiting to confirm our speaker, but we want to make sure you get this exciting program on your calendar.The Morehead Teen Science Cafe is where learning meets fun in a space-themed setting. Located on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center has a history of training astronauts for moon missions, has a giant dome theater, schedules frequent shows, and so much more.Our monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers, and even free food! Plus, we cover a variety of different topics, ranging from cell biology to deep space galaxies, making it a one-of-a-kind spot for high school students to explore new ideas, interact with each other, and have fun!The right doors up the big stairs will open at 5:30 for pizza and conversation. The cafe will start at 6:00 and wrap up around 7:00ish.

Program Schedule

5:30 pm – Arrive and check in. We will gather inside the west, main entrance of Morehead.

5:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Pizza social. Pizza social will take place in our classrooms, located on the 2nd floor.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Discussion & activities. Trivia will also take place in the Full Dome Theather.

*Please Note: Depending on scheduled activities, the program may end between 7:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Carolina Science Cafe | Primate Survival
2025-06-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Growing up wild: The challenge of survival for young primates

Join us for our next installment of the Carolina Science Cafe, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s free, current science awareness program. For the August cafe, we will welcome Dr. Susan Alberts, the Robert F. Durden Professor of Biology and Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University.

Many animals are ready to take on the world as soon as they hatch or are born – they can feed themselves, move where they need to go, and defend themselves against predators. Primates – including lemurs, monkeys, apes, and humans – are not like this. They are not only born helpless, but they also develop very slowly, often requiring years to achieve full independence. In this presentation, we’ll talk about the survival gauntlet that young primates face in reaching adulthood, and we’ll hear some vivid examples of how their lives depend on the help of others, including mothers, other family members, age mates, and more distant adults. To tell these stories, Prof. Alberts will draw on her 40 years of experience studying the wild baboons of the Amboseli basin in southern Kenya.

Research in the Alberts Lab investigates the evolution of social behavior, particularly in mammals, with a specific focus on the social behavior, demography, life history, and behavioral endocrinology of wild primates. Their main study system is the baboon population in Amboseli, Kenya, one of the longest-running studies of wild primates in the world, ongoing since 1971.

Designed for adults, this program explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the headlines. The Carolina Science Cafe is hosted at Haw River Tab & Table in Carrboro on Tuesday, June 3rd, starting at 6:00 p.m. with light appetizers available for all attendees.

About the Speaker

Susan Alberts is Dean of Natural Sciences in Trinity College of Arts & Science at Duke University, and The Robert F. Durden Distinguished Professor of Biology and Evolutionary Anthropology. She studies the behavior, ecology, physiology, and genetics of wild populations of large mammals, using longitudinal, individual-based data. She has spent 40 years studying wild baboons in Kenya, and she also studied the socioecology of African elephants for 10 years. She received her B.A. from Reed College, her Ph.D. from University of Chicago, and pursued postdoctoral research at the Harvard University Society of Fellows. She has been on the faculty at Duke University since 1998, supervising undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral researchers. She spends several months each year at her field site in Kenya, and has two children, Michele aged 27 and Teresa aged 21. She is a member of National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Learn More!

Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Carolina Science Cafe | Chasing Awe
2025-07-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Join us for our next installment of the Carolina Science Cafe, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s free, current science awareness program. For the July cafe, we will welcome Dr. Sheila Kannappan, a professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at UNC-Chapel Hill.

After chasing last year’s total solar eclipse to Texas, Kannappan decided to make 2024 the perfect Year of Awe by chasing the Northern Lights for two months in Minnesota in the fall. With solar activity at an 11-year maximum, she was lucky to see the aurora at least five times, depending on how you count. In this talk, Kannappan will share a taste of the wonders she witnessed and what she learned about how to maximize aurora chasing success.

Designed for adults, this program explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the work. The Carolina Science Cafe is hosted at Haw River Tab & Table in Carrboro on the first Tuesday of every month. Light appetizers are available for all attendees.

About the Speaker

Sheila Kannappan has been on the faculty of the Physics & Astronomy Department at UNC-Chapel Hill since 2007. A recurring theme of her research is finding evidence that dwarf galaxies have much more exciting lives than previously thought: these supposedly boring galaxies turn out to be subject to overwhelming gas inflows from the cosmos, which fuel both exponential growth via star formation and unexpectedly widespread activity in massive black holes.

In 2024, Dr. Kannappan retired from teaching and began pursuing travel, writing, and public speaking related to sharing astronomical awe. She is no stranger to learning on the fly, having taught astronomy for 17 years with degrees only in physics (BA and PhD) and in the history of science (MA), all from Harvard.

Her commitment to education and public outreach in North Carolina began before graduate school, when she spent two years as a 9th-grade teacher in Rocky Mount through Teach for America. That experience fueled a lifelong passion for educational equity and inspiring young people.

Learn More

Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Carolina Science Cafe | Filter Bubbles and Data Voids
2025-08-05 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Filter Bubbles and Data Voids: How Online Search Shapes What We See—and What We Don’t

Join us for the next installment of Carolina Science Cafe, our current science awareness program! Co-hosted by Morehead, UNC School of Data Science and Society, and UNC School of Information and Library Science, we will welcome Dr. Francesca Tripodi of UNC-Chapel Hill and the Data & Society Research Institute.

These days, searching for information online is something we all do—whether we’re planning a trip, checking a news story, or trying to settle a debate at the dinner table. But the way we search, and what we find, is changing fast. In this talk, we’ll take a closer look at how search works beneath the surface—and why that matters. We’ll explore how the words we choose when we search reflect our own viewpoints, and how those words shape the answers we get back. We’ll also look at how websites like Wikipedia, search engines, and AI tools like ChatGPT are all connected—and how missing information in one place can ripple across the internet. One key idea we’ll dive into is “data voids”—gaps where little reliable information exists, leaving room for people to spread misleading or manipulative content. By understanding these gaps and how they’re filled, we can start to see how search shapes what we know, what we miss, and what we believe.

Designed for adults, Carolina Science Cafe explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the work. This special program is hosted at Haw River Tap & Table in Carrboro on the first Tuesday of every month. Light appetizers are available for all attendees.

About the Speaker

Dr. Francesca Tripodi (she/her) is a sociologist and information scholar whose research examines the relationship between technology and society. She is an Associate Professor at the School of Information and Library Science and a Principal Investigator at the Center for Information Technology and Public Life (CITAP) at UNC-Chapel Hill, and an affiliate researcher (former postdoctoral scholar) at Data & Society Research Institute. She has twice testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee (April 10, 2019, and July 16, 2019) to explain how relevance is gamed to drive ideologically based queries and spread conspiratorial logic.

In addition to her research on search engines, Dr. Tripodi’s work documents how race and gender impact perceived notability, highlighting that cisgender women are nearly twice as likely to be considered non-notable subjects as their cis-male peers. Along with her Co-PIs at MIT and Stanford, Dr. Tripodi received a National Science Foundation Accelerator Award in 2021 to study how people find information and build tools to enhance and enable search literacy.

In December 2023, Dr. Tripodi was a featured guest on an episode of Meet the Press to discuss the dangers of online education tools like PragerU. Her work has also been highlighted on All Things Considered (NPR), the Financial Times, and the Associated Press. She has also written about her work in Wired, Slate, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. In addition to these featured segments, Dr. Tripodi’s research is regularly cited by esteemed publications like The Washington Post, The New York Times, TIME, and The Guardian. In recognition of her impact, Dr. Tripodi received the Award for Impact and Excellence in 2023 from the Center for the Informed Public at the University of Washington.

Find Dr. Tripodi on Bluesky.

Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Carolina Science Cafe | Floods, Forecasts, and the Future
2025-09-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Floods, Forecasts, and the Future: Rethinking Risk in a Changing Climate

Model results for Hurricane Florence (2018) flooding across eastern North Carolina.

Flooding is one of the most costly and frequent natural hazards in the United States, and its impacts are growing due to climate change, urban development, and aging infrastructure. In this talk, Dr. Antonia Sebastian will explore how science, data, and community knowledge come together to help us better understand—and adapt to—evolving flood risks.

Drawing on her research in North Carolina and beyond, Dr. Sebastian will share how new models and data are being used to uncover patterns of exposure, assess who is most vulnerable, and inform smarter, more equitable approaches to resilience. She will also discuss how local stories of adaptation, from rural coastal towns to urban neighborhoods, offer powerful insights into what it means to live with water in a warming world. Delving into common questions like “Is it really flooding more often?” and “What is the 100-year flood?”, Dr. Sebastian will speak about what we know about floods and what drives them to help make sense of the changing risks we face and how we can prepare for a wetter, more uncertain future.

Designed for adults, Carolina Science Cafe explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the work. This special program is hosted at Haw River Tap & Table in Carrboro on the first Tuesday of every month. Light appetizers are available for all attendees.

About the Speaker

Dr. Antonia Sebastian is a flood scientist who studies how people and places are affected by extreme weather and what we can do to build a safer, more resilient future. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she holds a joint appointment in the Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences and the Environment, Ecology and Energy Program (E3P). Dr. Sebastian’s research blends cutting-edge data and computer models to answer questions like: Who gets hit hardest when floods happen? Why are some communities able to bounce back faster than others? And how can we better prepare for the next big storm?

Prior to joining the faculty at UNC, Sebastian was an Associate Research Scientist at Texas A&M University at Galveston (2017-2019), where she helped to establish the Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas (IDRT). She has also held positions as a postdoctoral researcher (2016-2017) and Netherlands-America Foundation (NAF)/Fulbright Flood Management Fellow (2014-2015) in the Department of Hydraulic Engineering at Delft University of Technology. Sebastian currently serves as a member of the Board of Deltares USA, a Guest Editor for the journal of Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) scientific committees on Climate Adaptation and Coastal Engineering Sciences.

View Dr. Sebastian’s Work

Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Teen Science Cafe | Science Trivia
2025-09-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Please join us at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for the first Teen Science Cafe of the school year! On Friday, September 19, we’ll preview this season’s topics with an exciting game of science trivia. Open to teens ages 13-18, our monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers, and even free food! Plus, we cover a variety of different topics, ranging from cell biology to deep space galaxies, making it a one-of-a-kind spot for high school students to explore new ideas, interact with each other, and have fun!Doors will open at 6:00 pm for pizza and conversation. The cafe will start at 6:30 pm and wrap up around 7:30 pm.

Learn more about Teen Science Cafe

Program Schedule

6:00 pm: Arrive and check in. We will gather inside the west, main entrance of Morehead.

6:00 – 6:30 pm: Pizza social. The pizza social will take place in our classrooms, located on the 2nd floor.

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Discussion & activities. Trivia will take place in the Science Stage.

Please Note: Depending on scheduled activities, the program may end between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

Skywatching: International Observe the Moon Night | Observación del cielo: Noche Internacional de Observación de la Luna
2025-10-04 19:30 - 21:30 | Peach Road Cultural Center, 911 Ileagnes Rd, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27603, United States
Join Morehead Planetarium, Raleigh Parks, Raleigh Astronomy Club, and Consulado General de Mexico for a special skywatching event on International Observe the Moon Night! Learn about the Moon, constellations, and the planets in our Solar System through telescopes and other fun activities.

Skywatching will take place at Peach Road Park in Raleigh. This is an informal session, so you can arrive and leave at any time during the program. However, if you plan to attend, we suggest bringing a blanket or chairs and some snacks so you can relax under the stars.

We ask that you leave all pets at home, even those on a leash. Darkness, lots of people, expensive telescopes, and pets are a bad combination. Pets will not be permitted near the telescopes.

Please note that this event is weather-dependent. In the event of a cancellation, we will provide updates on our website and social media.

Learn more about skywatching events

Únase al Planetario Morehead, Parques de Raleigh, el Club de Astronomía de Raleigh y Consulado General de México para un evento especial de observación del cielo en la Noche Internacional de Observación de la Luna. Aprende sobre la Luna, las constelaciones y los planetas de nuestro Sistema Solar a través de telescopios y otras actividades divertidas.

La observación del cielo se llevará a cabo en Peach Road Park en Raleigh. Esta es una sesión informal, por lo que puede llegar y salir en cualquier momento durante el programa. Sin embargo, si planea asistir, te sugerimos traer una manta o sillas y algunos bocadillos para que puedas relajarte bajo las estrellas.

Le pedimos que deje a todas las mascotas en casa, incluso a las que llevan correa. La oscuridad, mucha gente, los telescopios caros y las mascotas son una mala combinación. No se permitirán mascotas cerca de los telescopios.

Tenga en cuenta que este evento depende del clima. En caso de cancelación, proporcionaremos actualizaciones en nuestro sitio web y redes sociales.

Aprende más sobre observaciones del cielo

Carolina Science Cafe: Stellar Evolution, Interrupted
2025-10-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Stellar Evolution, Interrupted

(Credit: Stocktrek Images/Getty Images)

Open up any introductory astronomy textbook, and you can read about how stars like the Sun evolve from one stage of stellar evolution to the next. However, these textbook descriptions often overlook one important fact: most stars are in binary systems with other stellar or substellar companions, and their presence can greatly impact how the story of stellar evolution plays out.

In October’s Carolina Science Cafe, Dr. Brad Barlow, an Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy at UNC-Chapel Hill, will discuss how his research group uses data from ground- and space-based observatories to discover and characterize special types of stars called hot subdwarfs that are the products of binary interactions. The broader impacts of this work touch on gravitational wave physics, Type Ia supernovae, the impact of late-stage stellar evolution on exoplanets, and more.

Designed for adults, Carolina Science Cafe explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the work. This special program is hosted at Haw River Tap & Table in Carrboro on the first Tuesday of every month. Light appetizers are available for all attendees.

About the Speaker

Dr. Brad Barlow (he/him) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before that, he spent 11 years working as an Associate Professor of Astrophysics and Director of the Culp Planetarium at High Point University. Dr. Barlow received a B.S. in physics from Mississippi State University in 2006, a Ph.D. in physics (astronomy concentration) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2011, and he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Pennsylvania State University from 2011-2013.

His research primarily focuses on pulsating stars, late stellar evolution, and binary star systems. While at UNC-Chapel Hill, he helped develop software for the Goodman spectrograph on the 4.1-m SOAR telescope on Cerro Pachon in Chile. Originally from Biloxi, Mississippi, Brad did his undergraduate studies at Mississippi State University. His other interests include playing the piano, writing music, cycling, and public outreach.

View Dr. Barlow’s Work

Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Carolina Science Cafe: Balancing Act
2025-11-04 18:00 - 19:00
Balancing Act: The Science of Pain, Fatigue, and Falls in Aging

Now is the time for innovation in our efforts to engineer solutions to help people age gracefully – from preserving independence and enhancing community accessibility to preventing falls. In this talk, Dr. Jason Franz, a professor of biomedical engineering, will summarize the latest in the UNC Applied Biomechanics Laboratory’s use of principles from neural control, biomechanics, wearable sensing, and rehabilitation robotics to solve one of our society’s grand challenges.

Designed for adults, Carolina Science Cafe is a free program that explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the work. This special program is hosted at Haw River Tap & Table in Carrboro on the first Tuesday of every month. Light appetizers are available for all attendees.

About the Speaker

Dr. Jason Franz (he/him) received his B.S. (2004) and M.S. (2006) degrees in Engineering Mechanics from Virginia Tech and, after serving as a staff scientist in PM&R at the University of Virginia, received his Ph.D. (2012) in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He then completed an NIH Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2015, Dr. Franz joined the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University and is now a Full Professor and Director of the UNC Applied Biomechanics Laboratory.

Dr. Franz’s research takes a mechanisms-based approach in rehabilitation engineering to develop solutions to help people age gracefully. He is the author of over 150 publications and currently serves as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH-funded research projects, all predominantly focused on rehabilitation engineering strategies to mitigate age- and disease-related mobility impairment and falls risk. He also serves as Faculty Director for Postdoctoral Success, where he supports the success, recruitment, and workforce development of postdoctoral trainees across the UNC School of Medicine.

View Dr. Franz’s Work

Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Teen Science Cafe: Exoplanet Watch
2025-11-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Exoplanet Watch with Yashasree Gadipalli

Please join us at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for November’s Teen Science Cafe! This month, we welcome Yashasree Gadipalli, who will be sharing her work as a citizen scientist with NASA’s Exoplanet Watch project, which uses telescope data to scan for planets outside our solar system.

Open to teens ages 13-18, our monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers, and even free food! Plus, we cover a variety of different topics, ranging from cell biology to deep space galaxies, making it a one-of-a-kind spot for high school students to explore new ideas, interact with each other, and have fun!

Doors will open at 6:00 pm for pizza and conversation. The cafe will start at 6:30 pm and wrap up around 7:30 pm.

Learn more about Teen Science Cafe

About Yashasree

Yashasree Gadipalli is a first-year student at UNC-Chapel Hill studying Astronomy and Data Science. As a participant in Exoplanet Watch, she uses NASA’s EXOTIC software to research the exoplanet TrES-3b and is developing a citizen science program to help students explore and contribute to ongoing astronomy research. As an intern for Cisco, she explored the intersection of AI and data science, which she now applies to her astronomy work. As an affiliate of the World Children’s Parliament, Yashasree is dedicated to making science more accessible to young minds.

Program Schedule

6:00 pm: Arrive and check in. We will gather inside the west, main entrance of Morehead.

6:00 – 6:30 pm: Pizza social. The pizza social will take place in our classrooms, located on the 2nd floor.

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Discussion & activities. Trivia will take place in the Science Stage.

Please Note: Depending on scheduled activities, the program may end between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

Skywatching at the Morehead Sundial
2025-11-23 17:45 - 18:45 | Morehead Planetarium Sundial, 220 E Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, United States
Join Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for free pop-up skywatching at the Morehead Sundial! On this night, we’ll be focusing on Saturn’s nearly edge-on rings.

This is an informal session, so you can arrive and leave at any time during the program. We ask that you leave all pets at home, even those on a leash. Darkness, lots of people, expensive telescopes, and pets are a bad combination. Pets will not be permitted near the telescopes.

Please note that this event is weather-dependent. In the event of a cancellation, we will provide updates on our website and social media.

Have more questions about skywatching? Visit our FAQs page!

Skywatching FAQs

Skywatching at Stagville — Geminid Meteor Shower
2025-12-13 20:00 - 22:00 | Horton Grove – Historic Stagville State Historic Site, 5925 Jock Road, Bahama, North Carolina, 27503, United States
Join staff and volunteers from Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society (CHAOS), and Historic Stagville for the peak night of the Geminid meteor shower!

To view meteors, all you need are your eyes. However, we’ll offer telescopes for you to catch Saturn, Jupiter, and other celestial sights. Please note that this event is weather-dependent. In the event of a cancellation, we will provide updates on our website and social media.

To attend and receive updates about this free event, please register using the link below. We hope to see you there!

Register

Know Before You Go

This outdoor event will take place in the open field at the Horton Grove entrance of Historic Stagville State Historic Site. Due to the high volume of people and limited parking, please carpool if possible.

This is an informal session, so you can arrive and leave at any time during the program. However, if you plan to attend, we suggest bringing a blanket or chairs and some snacks so you can relax under the stars.

We ask that you leave all pets at home, even those on a leash. Darkness, lots of people, expensive telescopes, and pets are a bad combination. Pets will not be permitted near the telescopes.

Have more questions about skywatching? Visit our FAQs page!

Skywatching FAQs

Teen Science Cafe: Neuronal Resilience
2025-12-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Neuronal Resilience with Dr. Mohanish Deshmukh

Please join us at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for December’s Teen Science Cafe! This month, we welcome Dr. Mohanish Deshmukh, Ph.D, who will be sharing his work on how different types of cells control apoptosis (regulated cell death) and how this relates to the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Open to teens ages 13-18, our monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers, and even free food! Plus, we cover a variety of different topics, ranging from cell biology to deep space galaxies, making it a one-of-a-kind spot for high school students to explore new ideas, interact with each other, and have fun!Doors will open at 6:00 pm for pizza and conversation. The cafe will start at 6:30 pm and wrap up around 7:30 pm.

Learn more about Teen Science Cafe

About Dr. Deshmukh

Mohanish Deshmukh, Ph.D. is a William R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Cell Biology & Physiology and the Neuroscience Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Mohanish received his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University, conducted his postdoctoral research at Washington University and joined UNC as an Assistant Professor in 2000.

Mohanish’s lab studies the programmed mechanisms by which neurons survive and die. His lab also focuses on understanding neurodevelopmental disorders as well as developing therapeutic strategies for preventing neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.

Mohanish received the Burroughs-Wellcome New Investigator Award in 2001. At UNC, Mohanish was recognized with the Teaching Excellence Award (2004) and the Mentor of the Year Award (2012). He is currently the Co-Director of the UNC MD/PhD program. His lab’s research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Program Schedule

6:00 pm: Arrive and check in. We will gather inside the west, main entrance of Morehead.

6:00 – 6:30 pm: Pizza social. The pizza social will take place in our classrooms, located on the 2nd floor.

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Discussion & activities. Trivia will take place in the Science Stage.

Please Note: Depending on scheduled activities, the program may end between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

Carolina Science Cafe: Are We Alone?
2026-01-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Are We Alone? Thoughts on the Fermi Paradox

Does the Cosmos teem with intelligence, or are we alone? This existential issue eats at our souls. In this talk, Dr. Brand Fortner will share how we use the Fermi Paradox, the Drake equation, the Rare Earth hypothesis, the Weak Anthropic principle, the Doomsday calculation, and the Great Filter to answer this most important of all questions.

Designed for adults, Carolina Science Cafe is a free program that explores science topics making national and international headlines, offering the chance to meet the experts behind the work. This special program is hosted at Haw River Tap & Table in Carrboro on the first Tuesday of every month. Light appetizers are available for all attendees.

About the Speaker

Brand Fortner is a teaching professor at North Carolina State University, where he teaches astronomy, astrophysics, and physics, and is an adjunct professor of physics at UNC-Chapel Hill. Previously holding positions at NASA and Johns Hopkins University, Brand earned a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in high-energy astrophysics and founded two scientific software companies. Additionally, he has written books on color vision and technical data and is in high demand for his public lectures on all things astronomical.

Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Teen Science Cafe: Food & Microbiomes
2026-01-30 18:00 - 19:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Food & Microbiomes with Dr. Erin McKenney

Please join us at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for January’s Teen Science Cafe! This month, we welcome Dr. Erin McKenney, who will be sharing her work on food and gut microbiomes in both animals and humans.

Open to teens ages 13-18, our monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers, and even free food! Plus, we cover a variety of different topics, ranging from cell biology to deep space galaxies, making it a one-of-a-kind spot for high school students to explore new ideas, interact with each other, and have fun!Doors will open at 6:00 pm for pizza and conversation. The cafe will start at 6:30 pm and wrap up around 7:30 pm.

Learn more about Teen Science Cafe

About Dr. McKenney

Dr. Erin McKenney is an assistant professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs at North Carolina State University. She studies how microbial communities form over time and how they adapt to their environments. Her research incorporates microbial ecology, nutrition, and comparative gut morphology to learn how gut microbes affect health – and how humans can leverage or upset that balance. For over a decade, Dr. McKenney has investigated evolutionary adaptation across different scales and species, between non-human primates and carnivores and their gut microbes. More recently, she has expanded her research to sourdough and other fermented foods that can be studied without laboratory equipment, using citizen science research to empower students of all ages and all over the world.

Program Schedule

6:00 pm: Arrive and check in. We will gather inside the west, main entrance of Morehead.

6:00 – 6:30 pm: Pizza social. The pizza social will take place in our classrooms, located on the 2nd floor.

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Discussion & activities. Trivia will take place in the Science Stage.

Please Note: Depending on scheduled activities, the program may end between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

Carolina Science Cafe: The Big Bang
2026-02-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Reaching back to the Big Bang from one of the highest places on Earth

Scientists are pushing to the most extreme observing sites in the world to study the universe’s most ancient light. New telescopes and cameras harness cryogenic cooling power to deploy pixels chilled to near absolute zero to study the remnants of the Big Bang. During February’s Carolina Science Cafe, Dr. Eve Vavagiakis will introduce the cosmic microwave background and shine some light on how we use the universe as a laboratory for fundamental physics. In addition, she will discuss exciting new telescopes and what it’s like to deploy cutting-edge technologies on ancient stratovolcanoes in the Chilean Atacama Desert.

Designed for adults, Carolina Science Cafe is a free program that explores science topics making national and international headlines, offering the chance to meet the experts behind the work. This special program is hosted at Haw River Tap & Table in Carrboro on the first Tuesday of every month. Light appetizers are available for all attendees.

About the Speaker

Dr. Eve Vavagiakis (she/her) is an Assistant Professor at Duke University and a previous postdoctoral fellow at Cornell University. In her spare time, she enjoys anything active and outdoors, especially climbing mountains, even when there aren’t telescopes on top.

See the speaker’s work

Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Science for All Summit
2026-02-19 08:00 - 2026-02-20 15:00 | Friday Conference Center, 100 Friday Center Dr, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517, United States
Turn Motivation into Action

Are you a student, educator, or other change agent? The fourth annual Science for All Summit returns this year on February 19 and 20! Produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, this two-day Summit offers engaging conversations, workshops, and sessions focused on access and opportunity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

At the Summit, we will provide opportunities to share new research findings, exchange resources, discuss strategies, and demonstrate effective practices and interventions. The 2026 program will include keynote addresses by Dr. Connie Locklear, Dr. Jessica Hernandez, and Dr. Sarina Saturn.

Learn more about the Summit

Teen Science Cafe: AI Applications
2026-02-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Please join us at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for February’s Teen Science Cafe! In this session, we’ll be discussing AI applications. Stay tuned for more information on this month’s speaker!Open to teens ages 13-18, our monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers, and even free food! Plus, we cover a variety of different topics, ranging from cell biology to deep space galaxies, making it a one-of-a-kind spot for high school students to explore new ideas, interact with each other, and have fun!Doors will open at 6:00 pm for pizza and conversation. The cafe will start at 6:30 pm and wrap up around 7:30 pm.

Learn more about Teen Science Cafe

Program Schedule

6:00 pm: Arrive and check in. We will gather inside the west, main entrance of Morehead.

6:00 – 6:30 pm: Pizza social. The pizza social will take place in our classrooms, located on the 2nd floor.

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Discussion & activities. Trivia will take place in the Science Stage.

Please Note: Depending on scheduled activities, the program may end between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

Carolina Science Cafe: Songbirds
2026-03-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Haw River Tap & Table, 300 E Main St C, Carrboro, NC, 27510, United States
Access to mates biased by parental favoritism in songbirds

In songbirds, the morphology of the vocal tract predicts song performance, and song performance affects access to mates. This, in turn, raises the question as to what causes this vocal-tract morphological variation. In March’s Carolina Science Cafe, Dr. Keith Sockman will discuss the recent analyses from his laboratory’s 20-year dataset on wild, free-ranging Lincoln’s sparrows at their montane field site in Colorado, which have revealed developmental constraints on the vocal tract, driven in part by parental favoritism toward some nestlings over their sibling nestmates.

Designed for adults, Carolina Science Cafe is a free program that explores science topics making national and international headlines, offering the chance to meet the experts behind the work. This special program is hosted at Haw River Tap & Table in Carrboro on the first Tuesday of every month. Light appetizers are available for all attendees.

About the Speaker

Dr. Keith Sockman earned a PhD in Zoology in 2000 at Washington State University, studying reproductive flexibility in American kestrels. His postdoctoral work at The Johns Hopkins University focused on the neurobiology of mate choice and reproductive timing in songbirds. His initial appointment in the Department of Biology at UNC Chapel Hill was in 2004, at which point he started a long-term study on the behavioral ecology and reproductive decisions of wild songbirds. He enjoys cycling, camping, and spending time with his two teenagers.

See Dr. Sockman’s work

Carolina Science Cafe is produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and sponsored by the UNC Chapter of Sigma Xi.

You do not need to register…just show up!

Teen Science Cafe: Visualizing Space
2026-03-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Please join us at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for March’s Teen Science Cafe! More details on this month’s speaker will be available at a later date.

Open to teens ages 13-18, our monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers, and even free food! Plus, we cover a variety of different topics, ranging from cell biology to deep space galaxies, making it a one-of-a-kind spot for high school students to explore new ideas, interact with each other, and have fun!Doors will open at 6:00 pm for pizza and conversation. The cafe will start at 6:30 pm and wrap up around 7:30 pm.

Learn more about Teen Science Cafe

Program Schedule

6:00 pm: Arrive and check in. We will gather inside the west, main entrance of Morehead.

6:00 – 6:30 pm: Pizza social. The pizza social will take place in our classrooms, located on the 2nd floor.

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Discussion & activities. Trivia will take place in the Science Stage.

Please Note: Depending on scheduled activities, the program may end between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
