SciVis, maps, charts, graphs and infographics. There is some truth to the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words.

The public is invited to learn more about the art and science of data visualization at the next NIU STEM Café at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, at Fatty’s Pub and Grille, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb). The event is free and open to the public, with food and drink available for purchase from Fatty’s. Register at go.niu.edu/stemcafe.

Presenter Joe Insley is a data visualization researcher at Argonne National Laboratory and an associate research professor in Northern Illinois University School of Art and Design. He’ll share a wide range of visualization examples, including large-scale computer simulations, and discuss how these examples impact scientific research and our everyday lives.

“Visualization can be beautiful and compelling,” Insley said in a news release. “Beyond producing pretty pictures, it can provide insight and communicate complex phenomena. It can also inspire students and get them excited about the creative process, about science and learning.”

Insley has been a researcher at Argonne National Laboratory for more than 20 years, where he’s primarily been involved in high performance computing and scientific data visualization. He’s currently the team lead for data visualization and analysis at the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, which is home to some of the largest supercomputers in the world.

Insley also co-leads the Data, Devices and Interaction Laboratory at NIU, along with his colleague Michael Papka, NIU professor of computer science. The lab brings together students from both the Department of Computer Science and the School of Art and Design with the goal of using computers to support and enhance knowledge and discovery, as well as artistic expression.

NIU STEM Cafés are part of NIU STEAM and are designed to increase public awareness of the critical role that STEM fields play in our everyday lives. STEM Cafés are supported by Bayer Fund and Thermo Fisher Scientific. For more information, visit go.niu.edu/stemcafes or contact Judith Dymond, Ed.D., at 815-753-4751 or jdymond@niu.edu.