science for breakfast on the Hill

"Let's say my arms are the extent of the galaxy and I'm the black hole," she says, gesturing at her head, "our solar system is way out here," pointing at her outstreched hand.

The audience of 60 MPs, Library of Parliament workers, political staffers and scientists watches appreciatively.

Their attention hasn't flickered since she started talking 40 minutes earlier. Even those who haven't done a science course since high school often show up every month or two for a Parliamentary breakfast lecture, like this one on Thursday, from a prominent Canadian scientist.

Ottawa Citizen - Breakfast lessons for MPs bridge science, political gap - June 5, 2009

The series is put on by the Partnership Group for Science and Engineering.