Join Notre Dame Professors and ‘Kate the Chemist’ at Chickory Café for an Evening of Fun, Fire, and Science Exploration

Science doesn’t always need a lab coat, goggles, or a complex formula on a whiteboard. Sometimes, it simply needs a pint, a curious mind, and the right setting to spark conversations that make molecules, theories, and research projects come to life. That’s exactly what “Pint of Science” delivered at Chickory Café this week as Notre Dame professors and celebrity scientist Dr. Kate Biberdorf—better known as “Kate the Chemist”—gathered with students, science enthusiasts, and members of the South Bend community for an evening filled with high-energy demonstrations and insightful dialogue.

The event was part of the global Pint of Science initiative, which began in the UK in 2013 and has since spread to cities across the world. The idea is deceptively simple: bring researchers out of their labs and into local pubs and cafés to talk to the public about their work in a relaxed and informal setting. In doing so, it bridges the gap between academia and everyday people—making science more accessible, relatable, and engaging for all. But what made this year’s event particularly special in South Bend was the presence of Dr. Biberdorf, a nationally recognized science communicator and chemist whose vibrant personality and explosive experiments have wowed audiences from middle school classrooms to television talk shows.

Known for turning science into spectacle, Dr. Biberdorf’s nickname, “Kate the Chemist,” captures the essence of her mission: to excite, educate, and entertain. At Chickory Café, she wasted no time grabbing the crowd’s attention. Using everyday materials, she lit things on fire, caused controlled explosions, and filled the air with smoke, laughter, and wonder. It wasn’t just about theatrics—it was a carefully crafted showcase of chemistry’s power and presence in the world around us. Whether it was the color-changing reactions or the fizzy displays of molecular combustion, the demonstrations served as both a science lesson and a source of inspiration.

The standing-room-only crowd ranged from curious high schoolers and college undergrads to retirees, teachers, and families with young children. Many came just to see Dr. Biberdorf in action, but they stayed for the full experience. Several Notre Dame professors from disciplines including physics, biology, and environmental science took the stage between experiments, each sharing a brief story about their research. From discovering new methods to fight climate change to exploring the mysteries of dark matter, the talks were as wide-ranging as they were enlightening.

Dr. Patricia Clancy, a molecular biologist at Notre Dame, used the event to share some of her lab’s work on genetic resilience in plants. “We’re trying to understand how crops adapt to changing environments,” she explained, “so we can help ensure food security for the future.” Her short, passionate talk prompted a lively Q&A, with audience members asking about genetically modified organisms, soil health, and the role of policy in agricultural research. The café, normally a cozy and quiet downtown space, buzzed with excitement as the conversation grew.

That atmosphere—one of learning and laughter, debate and discovery—is exactly what the organizers of Pint of Science hoped to achieve. Alex Rosen, a doctoral candidate in chemical engineering and one of the student coordinators of the event, said the goal was to make science feel “a little less intimidating and a lot more fun.”

“This is what science communication is all about,” Rosen said. “We’re showing people that science isn’t locked away in a lab. It’s here, in your neighborhood café, in your beer, in the soap you use, in the air you breathe. And it’s being explored by people who live right here in South Bend.”

Indeed, one of the most valuable takeaways from the event was the human side of scientific inquiry. Each professor and researcher didn’t just discuss their work—they talked about their failures, their curiosities, their hopes for the future. Dr. Marcus Holtz, a theoretical physicist at Notre Dame, spoke about his passion for space and how it began when he was just a child staring up at the stars from his backyard. “I never thought I’d end up researching black holes for a living,” he told the audience. “But here I am, and it still feels like a dream.”

Those stories helped personalize science, making it less abstract and more emotional. As Dr. Biberdorf often says in interviews, “If we want kids—and adults—to care about science, we have to show them the people behind it.” Her performance at Chickory Café was a masterclass in that principle. Each fiery reaction came with a story. Each reaction had a reason. And through it all, her infectious energy kept the room captivated.

One particularly memorable moment came when a young girl, no older than 8 or 9, raised her hand during the Q&A to ask how Dr. Biberdorf became interested in chemistry. Biberdorf smiled and told a story about mixing baking soda and vinegar in her parents’ kitchen and being fascinated by the bubbles. “That was the moment,” she said. “And I never looked back.” The girl beamed, and the room erupted in applause.

The Chickory Café, decorated with banners reading “Pint of Science” and adorned with periodic table-themed drink menus for the night, added to the event’s charm. Local craft beers were served alongside “Science Sliders” and “Molecule Mac & Cheese,” with patrons encouraged to toast to discovery and ask questions freely. The café staff said they had never seen the place so full on a weekday night.

Behind the bar, one staffer shared his thoughts while pouring pints for the crowd. “I didn’t think I’d be learning about quantum entanglement while serving IPAs,” he said with a grin. “But honestly? It’s pretty amazing. I feel smarter just being here.”

That sentiment was echoed by many attendees as the night wore on. Though the event officially wrapped around 9 p.m., conversations lingered well into the evening. Some stayed to ask follow-up questions; others formed informal circles, debating topics they’d just heard about. The café was alive with ideas, proof that when science is shared with heart and humor, it can find an audience anywhere.

For Notre Dame, events like this reinforce its commitment not only to research but to outreach and education. The university’s Center for Social Concerns and Department of Chemistry both helped sponsor the evening, recognizing the value of bringing science into the public sphere. Several professors said they hoped the event would become an annual tradition, with rotating speakers and a growing audience.

As for Kate the Chemist, she left the café with soot on her hands, smiles in her wake, and maybe a few new future chemists among the crowd. “This is why I do what I do,” she said as she packed up her gear. “Science is about asking questions, trying things, making mistakes, and trying again. But most of all, it’s about sharing it with others.”

And share it she did—brilliantly, boldly, and without reservation. The Pint of Science event at Chickory Café proved that no matter your age, background, or level of knowledge, science has a place for you. All it takes is a pint, a spark, and someone like Kate the Chemist to light the flame.