By Tony Judnich

Staff writer

VIERA - Science café chats recently returned to the Pizza Gallery and Grill restaurant.

The chats are led by speakers who are considered experts in their field. The events are free and open to the public, said Florida Institute of Technology spokesman Jay Wilson.

"(The chats) are a collaboration between our College of Science and Brevard Zoo," he said.

Officials from the university and the zoo select the speakers, who give presentations and then discuss the topic with the audience.

The chats debuted last year at the Pizza Gallery and Grill and, through January, they will take place there from 6-8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month.

The first chat in the second series of local science café chats took place Sept. 12, when FIT professor Jean-Paul Pinelli led a discussion on hurricanes and related issues.

Science cafés are found worldwide. They offer people the chance to learn more about science subjects and debate ideas and theories in a group setting, zoo spokeswoman Andrea Hill said.

"We do not need reservations for the chats," Ms. Hill said. "You can just show up."

She said each chat usually has an audience of 30-50 people.

Here are upcoming chats at the Pizza Gallery and Grill:

Oct. 10: "The Science of Beer."

Nov. 14: "Toxins."

Dec. 12: "Sport fishing and Conservation."

Jan. 9: "The Evolution Wars."

The Pizza Gallery and Grill restaurant is at 2250 Town Center Avenue, Suite 113, at the Avenue Viera mall.

Contact Tony Judnich at (321) 751-5954 or Judnich@hometownnewsol.com.