Abstract:

Science cafes have offered an important opportunity toward informal STEM learning for both adults and children in Japan for over a decade. Moreover, since face-to-face interactive communication has been strictly limited under the influence of Covid-19, this format of STEM learning can still be implemented and thus offers an important advantage. This article has two purposes. The first is to acquire an overview of the implementation of science cafes in Japan during 2021, under the influence of the pandemic. The second is to clarify the features of online science cafes. Regarding the first research question, according to the Science Café Portal Japan, 864 announcements pertaining to science cafes were posted in 2021, a larger number than that in 2020 (618 posts), although less than that in 2019 (1,284 posts), before the pandemic. Among the 864 posts, almost two-thirds were concerning cafes held online. As for the second research question, an analysis of the features of online science cafes compared to cafes held in person yielded notable results. According to findings from two field experiments conducted in my laboratory and a review of related articles:
1) people from remote areas were able to participate in online science cafes;
2) it also made possible the mobilization of resources as learning tools in their own houses; on the other hand,
3) though the interaction between the facilitator and each participant was rather smooth, dialogue within participants was difficult to promote;
4) it was difficult to provide a response to a particular participant, such as expressing assenting nods, because reactions tended to be perceived as applicable to all.

It may take more time to cope with the influence of Covid-19 even after it eases. Online science cafes will continue to occupy an important position in STEM learning. Thus, they should be examined and refined further.

Keywords:

Science café, STEM, informal learning, online communication, Covid-19, Japan.