[Linux-aus] Science Cafe

[Russell Coker]

On Wed, 1 Jul 2015 08:02:55 AM James Polley wrote:
> I like the Cafe Scientifique and Science Cafe concepts - I'm a fan of
> anything that encourages science literacy or critical thinking.
> 
> But I'm having trouble seeing how this is "a good fit for the aims of Linux
> Australia". http://linux.org.au/projects/grants has some details on some of
> the criteria the request should meet to be considered, starting with being
> "for the good of a project that relates to Linux or Open Source". I

I agree that a strict literal reading of the grants page would make this 
project ineligible for a financial grant.

However at this time I'm not looking for money just for mailing list hosting.  
So even if it's determined that the grants page should be interpreted strictly 
I don't think this necessarily precludes mailing list hosting.

But I think that the grants page should be interpreted more liberally.  
Computer Science is one branch of science and generally promoting science 
education goes along with Open Source.

If it is determined that Linux Australia shouldn't offer mailing list hosting 
for such a project does anyone know of a good service to use?  Don't say 
Google Groups.

> certainly think that encouraging science literacy benefits every aspect of
> life, but I'm having trouble making a direct connection to Linux or Open
> Source.
> 
> I'd really like to see this sponsorship happen, but I'm having trouble
> seeing how it fits within the usual scope of the grants program.
> 
> Would you be able to address some of the points from the Grants page to add
> some more detail about how this fits?
> 
> On Tue, Jun 30, 2015 at 12:19 AM Russell Coker <russell at coker.com.au> wrote:
> > I would like to start a Melbourne version of the "Science Cafe" project.
> > That
> > involves arranging meetings of scientists and people who are interested
> > in science to chat informally at cafes etc.
> > 
> > I need a mailing list.  I think that as it's a non-free project based
> > around
> > science it's a good fit for the aims of Linux Australia and running
> > another mailing list is a very easy form of sponsorship.  So I'd like to
> > use a mailing
> > list on the LA server.  A possible mailing list name would be
> > science-cafe- melb.
> > 
> > Also if things go well in this regard I'll eventually setup a Meetup
> > group. If that happens would LA be willing to sponsor the Meetup fees
> > and have official
> > ownership of the Meetup account?  I don't want this to be something that
> > I personally do, I want it to be easily passed on to other people who
> > have more
> > time and energy when appropriate.
> > 
> > ======
> > 
> > Here's the background:
> > 
> > The Science Cafe idea has been implemented in different ways in various
> > places.
> > The people who started it favored a very decentralised model so there
> > isn't even a clear definition of it apart from being generally involving
> > people talking about science, usually scientists talking to random
> > people who want to
> > learn in a cafe or other similar public place.  I'm initially planning to
> > talk
> > to my contacts in medical research but it would be good if other people
> > can find scientists willing to get involved.
> > 
> > If anyone from Melbourne wants to get involved then let me know by
> > private mail and I'll put you in contact with the other people.  If
> > anyone wants to do
> > something in another region then I guess this list could be used to start
> > the
> > discussion.
> > 
> > http://www.inspiring-australia.com.au/category/cafe-scientifique/
> > 
> > The above URL has information on what they are doing in QLD.  Small
> > amounts of
> > money are available to help people who want to run similar events.
> > 
> > http://www.scitech.org.au/events/all/1740-science-cafe
> > 
> > The above URL has information about an event in Perth for year 9-11 kids.
> > 
> > I didn't put much effort into finding out what's going on in other
> > states, the
> > fact that nothing is happening in Melbourne is all that's really of
> > interest
> > to me.
> > 
> > --
> > My Main Blog         http://etbe.coker.com.au/
> > My Documents Blog    http://doc.coker.com.au/
> > _______________________________________________
> > linux-aus mailing list
> > linux-aus at lists.linux.org.au
> > http://lists.linux.org.au/mailman/listinfo/linux-aus

-- 
My Main Blog         http://etbe.coker.com.au/
My Documents Blog    http://doc.coker.com.au/