Public Relations Overview

Science Chicago was one of the most exciting public/private initiatives in Chicago during 2008–2009 and demonstrated why Chicago is considered a world-class city. With innovative programs and ideas from Chicago’s most successful corporations, cultural institutions, academics and scientists, Science Chicago appealed to the hearts and minds of all Chicagoans.

Local media responded to the excitement and uniqueness from the start, and through nearly 10 million media impressions, covered the initiative’s bicycle-powered launch event, the amazing final LabFest! in Millennium Park and nearly everything in between.

Stories about Science Chicago appeared in outlets such as the Chicago Tribune, the Daily Herald and Chicago Parent. Opinion pieces by Science Chicago advisers advocating for increased public engagement with science ran in the Sun-Times, Crain’s Chicago Business and Science magazine. Chicagoans were kept up-to-date on Science Chicago events through calendar listings in local newspapers, magazines and websites.

Television producers were drawn to the inspiring images of young people discovering their inner scientist at Science Chicago events. Every news station covered some aspect of the initiative, and some – including ABC-7’s 190 North and WYCC’s City Science with Mike Davis – went even deeper with feature stories and interviews of Science Chicago leaders.

Parents and kids also heard about Science Chicago on the radio, as Science Director Dr. Rabiah Mayas was interviewed several times on WGN Radio, WBEZ Chicago Public Radio’s show 848 and Radio Disney.

The bulk of coverage came where the majority of today’s media consumers live: online. Websites including Gaper’s Block, Chi-Town Daily News, Windy Citizen and the online versions of Time Out Chicago, The Reader and Chicago Magazine all helped to spread the word and tell the story of Science Chicago.