ILLINOIS SCIENCE COUNCIL
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : m******r@i*************e.o*g
Mission Statement
Illinois Science Council ("ISC") is an independent nonprofit with a mission to bring science to the 85% of the public not served by the more well-known (and better funded) student-focused science outreach efforts. ISC primary audience is adults – those with the most influence on students and who make all business, healthcare, and voting decisions in our society. We all benefit when adults understand and appreciate science regardless of their school experience in science classes. ISC offers creative and accessible programs that inspire, educate, and entertain the public about science, technology, engineering and math. We highlight the scientists and their research from area universities, museums, national laboratories, and companies to demonstrate that science is not a separate sphere apart from culture but an integral part of it. We are inspired by Carl Sagan who said: “We live in a society exquisitely dependent upon science and technology in which hardly anyone understands anything about science and technology.” ISC works hard to bridge the science literacy gap and we do it in a way that removes any intimidation people may feel about science. We know how to make science appealing.
About This Cause
ISC strives to reach well beyond those who are self-described ‘science buffs’ who seek out science on their own. We work to reach people who think science is just something required in school or done only by those with PhD in labs. We want to bring enrichment and expanded curiosity to those who rarely consider the role science plays in their lives. Our primary audience is the adult population not currently served by most museum and school outreach programs and who are far removed from a science classroom. We make science more accessible by offering creative programs that are interesting and engaging as well as educational. It is important that people get opportunities to connect with real practicing scientists, to understand the work of research, and ask questions directly of experts. In this way, we take away the intimidation factor or the distance many people have from the world of science, and we help improve trust in scientists and in science research. ISC explores all areas of science and technology and we do it with a fun, non-stuffy approach. We've offered brain/neuroscience programs like, “Your Brain on Happiness,” “Your Brain on Creativity,” and “Your Brain on Love, Sex, & Oxytocin.” We offer unique chemistry programs involving hands-on experimentation such as, "Chemistry of Beer" at a brewery, “Chemistry of Chocolate,” “Chemistry of Honey”, etc. ISC gets people to think about math with our Pi Day "Pi K" Fun Run – run 3.14 miles on 3/14, "Pi Day," with a party after. We launched the annual Chicago Science Festival, which features a full day of presentations and hands-on demos on a variety of STEM topics all designed for ages 16 and up. Most people agree that improving science literacy is important, however, it's rarely seen as urgent like other social needs. Too many people suffer horribly sad and completely unnecessary losses of money, health, and even lives caused by a failure to understand science or appreciate the value the scientific process plays in our world. We see this with fad diets and supposed ‘super’ foods, fake “scientific” claims about useless or harmful supplements and other products, which are not harmless wastes of money. The embrace of untested disease cures, and what we saw tragically with the COVID-19 pandemic with the denial of diseases or rejection of vaccines cost many, many lives. On a broader scale, low science literacy influences public policy on the environment, climate change, and other critical issues. Illinois Science Council is dedicated to reducing such unnecessary losses and improving communities by increasing public understanding and appreciation of science. We don't care what's been forgotten since school (or never learned in the first place). Our work is simply about continuing to promote and to exercise our inexhaustible human sense of curiosity. ISC is a lean and nimble nonprofit in Chicago. We have a very small staff and an amazing group of volunteers (some with formal science training; many without) to develop, produce, and promote all our programs. We collaborate with the Chicagoland’s incredible science sector of universities, museums, labs, and companies to showcase the science and scientists who work there. If you’re near Chicago, get in touch!