Illinois Science Council

ISC is an independent, volunteer-driven organization that engages, educates, and entertains the adult public about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in our lives. ISC serves as the adult complement to the organizations focused on K-12 students and as the science complement to Chicago's many arts and humanities organizations.

ISC creates public programs that bring scientists together with adults who want to cultivate their innate curiosity about science. Our brain series includes programs like, "Your Brain on Happiness," "Your Brain on Creativity," and "Your Brain on Love, Sex and Oxytocin." To teach chemistry principles we’ve offered "Chemistry of Beer," "Chemistry of Chocolate," "Chemistry of Coffee" and more. Fundraising events include "Science Cocktail Party" (science attractions with cocktails!) and a Pi Day 3.14-mile fun run.

Our work is inspired by Carl Sagan’s quote: "We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology." It is, sadly, still true decades after he said it about science literacy in our county. Yet, ISC refuses to make people feel illiterate about what's been forgotten since school, because maybe it was never taught it in the first place. Instead, we focus on exercising our human sense of curiosity. So we’re motivated by THIS Sagan quote: "The brain is like a muscle. When it is in use, we feel very good. Understanding is joyous."