Make it Make Sense – Science Showdown
September 19, 2026
11:00 am
– 2:00 pm
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University, North Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb, IL, USA
Program Series:
Science and Society
Join C2ST for a live game show at the NIU STEM Fest! Make it Make Sense – Science Showdown will feature three scientists who will attempt to explain their research in the most entertaining and engaging way that they can – and we’ll ask YOU to vote on who does it best! We will hold two sessions, one at 11 am and one at 1 pm. Come to one, or both!
Southside Science Festival
October 3, 2026
11:00 am
– 5:00 pm
University of Chicago Campus
University of Chicago: Hyde Park, South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA
Program Series:
Science and Society
Join us at our booth from 2 pm – 5 pm at the Southside Science Festival! Read more…
The Future of Our Universe is Bright. Really, Really Bright.
“Are we alone in the universe?” For thousands of years, the question has stumped humanity. Through icons like E.T., the Alien franchise, and most recently Project Hail Mary, our fascination with the extraterrestrial has dominated popular culture and media for generations. But the search for life isn’t just contained in scripts or on film reels; scientists in a dizzying number of hyper-specific fields make daily progress expanding our knowledge of space, getting us ever so closer to answering that burning question. One such discovery has been pivotal in that task, providing stepping stones to understanding the universe in completely unexpected ways. This is the history and science of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs).
Read more…
You always hear people say “look ahead” or “hold your head high,” but I would challenge you to take a moment to look down and think about the ground below. When I was little – much to my parents’ dismay – my favorite pastime was finding the muddiest puddle around and splashing away in it! If it wasn’t that, I was taking my toys outside and building entire ecosystems for them in the ground, including caves, mountains out of dirt, or even whole river systems using a hose. But this material is more than just a fun mess! Below us is one of the Earth’s greatest resources: soil. It is teeming with life, full of structure, and yet remains mostly hidden to us. In this blog, I hope to share just some of the many ways that soil is unique, fascinating, and crucial to life on Earth. Read more…
Upcoming Events
September 20, 2026
3:00 pm
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, East 56th Place, Chicago, IL, USA
Program Series:
Physical ScienceScience and SocietyTechnology and Engineering
Join the Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C2ST) and the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center for a special screening of Project Hail Mary, followed by an engaging conversation about the science behind the film.
After the screening, science experts in physics and astronomy will take the stage for a talk-back, exploring the real science of the movie. From space exploration to the physics and astronomy that shape the story, our experts will unpack what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what the future might hold.
Following the discussion, stick around for bites and drinks in the Skylight Lounge. Mingle with fellow moviegoers and continue the conversation with our science experts in a relaxed setting.
Whether you’re a longtime science enthusiast or simply curious about our big universe, this is a chance to experience the film from a whole new perspective.
C2ST Supporters
Alan Schriesheim & Kay Torshen
John A. Cable Foundation
Arch Investors Ltd
Alan Schriesheim & Kay Torshen
John A. Cable Foundation
Arch Investors Ltd