Clarkson University Science Café Series Returns to Potsdam This Fall

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Clarkson University's Science Café series returns to downtown Potsdam this fall, bringing researchers and community members together for informal conversations on topics ranging from childhood development and virtual reality to mathematics and astronomy.

The free talks will be held at 7:15 p.m. in the Potsdam Civic Center Community Room, 2 Park St. The series is designed to make research accessible to the public and give community members an opportunity to engage with experts in a relaxed setting.

The Fall 2026 Science Café schedule includes:

Oct. 28 - "How Bedtime Routines Help Build Children's Emotional Resilience"

Ying Zhang, assistant professor of psychology at Clarkson, will explore how everyday bedtime routines can influence children's emotional health. Zhang will discuss how family stress, parenting experiences and bedtime routines work together to shape emotional regulation and behavior, while sharing research-based strategies families can use to support children's resilience and development.

Nov. 4 - "What Does Your VR Headset Know About You?"

Shafique Chaudhry, associate professor in Clarkson's David D. Reh School of Business, will examine the information hidden in the movements people make while using virtual reality. The talk will explore how artificial intelligence can use VR behavioral signals to distinguish users, recognize familiarity with a task, detect signs of fatigue and potentially support rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Nov. 18 - "Mathematical Illustration, Experimentation, and Exploration"

Gabriel Dorfsman-Hopkins, assistant professor at St. Lawrence University, will show how illustration can serve as a tool for mathematical research and communication. The presentation will feature techniques including computer graphics, sculpture, digital fabrication and fiber arts, and explore how creative projects can lead to mathematical discoveries, art installations or both.

Dec. 2 - "Starlight Detectives: How Astronomers Actually Decode the Universe"

Benjamin Roulston of Clarkson's Department of Physics will take participants behind the scenes of modern astronomy through a hands-on look at the tools astronomers use to study the universe. Participants will explore how telescopes work, use spectroscopy to learn about stars and see how astronomers detect planets. The discussion will also examine how modern astronomy increasingly relies on coding and massive datasets to identify unusual objects among billions of stars.

Science Cafés are free and open to the public. All Fall 2026 talks begin at 7:15 p.m. at the Potsdam Civic Center Community Room, 2 Park St.