with Mike Davis

Need to satisfy your appetite for science? Stay tuned! New episodes will be in production soon! In these next episodes, Professor Mike will explore the science of sound, the science of gas, the science of balls, the electromagnetic spectrum, biodiversity and the science of food!

So, get ready to explore what science is for!

Can’t get enough of City Science and can’t wait for the new episodes? Well then check out Mike’s new clip page- Science in Small Doses. You can revisit your favorite science spots and see never-before-seen footage!

As a Chemistry major, Mike Davis was involved with a group of students that did science demonstration shows for schools in the Bloomington-Normal area. In the next two years, he started to lead the group, and turned the show into a considerably larger production. In the three years that he was involved, the group became very popular, and a waiting list was created to handle the demand.

In the fall of 1997, he left Illinois Wesleyan to study in Ireland for a semester at the University of Limerick. While he was there the Chemistry Department expressed an interest in his demonstration shows. They gave him the chance to perform a couple demonstrations at their upcoming open house. The students were astounded and teachers were clamoring for more.

The University created a working agreement where Mike would perform the demonstrations in schools, and he would be supplied with chemicals and reimbursed for transportation costs. In exchange for materials, Mike encouraged students to consider attending the University of Limerick. With that arrangement, Mike dedicated the next six months to performing in schools across Ireland. The relentless touring schedule took him to more than 200 schools, and put him in front of close to 10,000 students. In every school he visited, there was a subsequent increase in the number of students electing to take chemistry and physics.

In January of 2001, Mike founded Science Theatre Productions as a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt non-profit business to serve schools in the Chicago area. Since then, he performed for thousands of students throughout the Chicagoland area. Many of the schools had him back for repeat performances, and a few schools started holding science fairs to deal with their students new found enthusiasm.

Mike was featured on WBEZ’s 848 Program (a National Public Radio affiliate). He also wrote and acted in the weekly science segment of an Emmy-nominated children’s television show called Up ‘n Running.

Science Theatre Productions expanded to include other employees. Ed Schweitzer became a featured performer for several months.

In January 2002, Mike became a full time faculty member at Harold Washington College. Ed completed the remaining performances, and then closed the company at the end of the fiscal year. Since then, Ed has gone on to become a teacher for the Chicago Public Schools, and Mike became a tenured Assistant Professor of Chemistry.

In 2004, Mike created the Science Club with fellow faculty members Hector Reyes and Dana Perry. Since then, Harold Washington College students have prepared and mastered demonstrations and performed them in dozens of schools in and around Chicago.

Have you ever wondered why electricity can be so expensive? Or why ice cubes in the freezer get smaller over time? Or why you can’t throw a computer monitor out with the trash? On City Science with Professor Mike, we explore the science of urban living and try to explain some of our daily observations and questions. Science is an exciting and important topic, and City Science brings it to life with interesting demonstrations and experiments, and some of the hidden science the city has to offer.