NUANCE at the Museum of Science and Industry

On October 16, 2025, NUANCE Postdoctoral Research Associate Chris Sharpe led two interactive sessions at the Museum of Science and Industry’s Jr. Science Café, engaging a total of more than 50 young science enthusiasts. 

The Jr. Science Café program gives students the opportunity to discover what it’s like to be a scientist or engineer through hands-on activities and meaningful conversations with STE(A)M professionals. These small, focused sessions allow young people to connect directly with role models from diverse backgrounds and career paths—showing that anyone can pursue a future in science, technology, engineering, art, or math.

During his sessions, Chris shared insights from his research at the NUANCE Center and led students through hands-on activities using microscopes, giving them a closer look at how scientists explore materials at the nanoscale. He also discussed how curiosity, creativity, and collaboration drive discovery in materials science and microscopy.

Events like the Jr. Science Café are an important part of NUANCE’s ongoing commitment to community outreach and education—helping inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers to explore, question, and discover.