Some thoughts on science communication and science outreach:
Is it really necessaary that outreach be entirely centered on Whiz Bang stuff so that science is presented as being cool instead or being presented as a discovery process. Well ,yeah, who wants to be boring in a pub talk, but scientists in general bore an audience without the scientist ever realizing this.
Can one not also weave in a story about how science is about exploration, discovery and thinking about the world in new ways?
In addition, science can be presented as a pathway that leads to collective humility in humanity rather than the current collective aarogance that dominates the way the planet is managed.
I do not know what I may appear to the world; but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me
Who said that?
What is Science - binary choice:
a) Science is a process that maps out the Truth
b) Science is a process that discovers the unknown?
We consciously educate students and the public about a) - we rarely do anything about b) , although NASA indirectly deals with b.
A very few set of principles for science outreach:
Perception is often more
powerful than fact.
How can I make my message more
meaningful and memorable? -- Repetition is a valuable aid in getting your singular message across.
What will get and keep the attention of my
audience? - interrupt words with interesting props, demos, etc. but do those things in the context of your singular message
What do I want to accomplish
by delivering this presentation?
That's it
And remember, science is a highly Integrated endeavor
Last slide of one my recent Outreach Talks:
Example of repeating the singular message:
Finally, the evolution of Neil Tyson:
Tyson's venture into popularizing science started in the early 90s - one can have a long argument about whether or not he has been successful and that argument will depend on your definition of success.
For the most part Tyson popularized science the same way that Carl Sagan did (who was on the Tonite show many times). Tyson is able to put a personable face on science and talk about it ways that engage with the audience (most of the time). But this approach is mostly the Whiz Bang approach and the long term effects of this may be zero.
About 3 or 4 years ago, Tyson woke up to the fact that a larger message should be conveyed and has produced some interesting quotes which he now incorporates in his message.
The evidence for evolution.
Knowing how to think empowers you far beyond those who only know what to think
I love being wrong because that means in that instant, I learned someting new that day
Ignorance is a virus. Once it starts spreading, it can only be cured by reason. For the sake of humanity, we must be that cure.
The Universe is under no obligation to make sense to you
Children are born scientists. They are curious about everything around them. And then we spend the rest of their lives telling them to shut up and sit down.
