Science Communication

What is Science Communication?

1. What is science communication according to the presenters? How does it differ from Monica Feliu-Mojer’s definition of science communication?

• According to the presenters, science communication is about being able to effectively communicate a body of work in science to non experts, which is referred to as the general public. You are obligated to discuss work with other scientists as well as a wider stakeholders. This method of communication is different than the usual means of communication between scientists and colleagues. The style of writing differs, such as diction, the audience it is being delivered to, as well as the message itself. This definition differs from Monica Feliu-Mojer’s definition of science communication due to her defining science communication as effectively transmitting one’s message clearly which can range from peer-reviewed work all the way down to a tweet -J.W.

2. Why is science communication important to researchers and the general public?

• Science communication is important to researchers and the general public because of the vitals topics around global issues, as well as discoveries that affect each and every one of us. In the United States, tax dollars go towards the funding that a lot of scientists obtain for their research and experiments, which is also another reason why communicating the findings and data is so important. -J.W.

3. How does science communication differ from scientific dissemination? Why is each important?

• Science communication differs from scientific dissemination due to dissemination being the bulk of most scientists and researchers jobs. This task they have is to create papers and get them peer reviewed before they can be published in a scientific journal. On the other hand,  according to the speaker, scientific communication is intended to inform and reach out to society and the audience is for the general public rather than the regular scientific community. -J.W.

Alan Alda: Science Communication

1. According to Alda, “Everyone is too ignorant about science. That is what science is about: Science is about satisfying the ignorance we all naturally possess.” What do you think Alda is trying to convey in this statement about the role of the scientist and the general public? What challenges do you see with this type of engagement?

• I believe that Alan Alda in this particular statement is conveying that we all tend to think that we know everything there is to know, which closes are minds to the possibility that we actually don’t. Considering that there’s so much to learn and know about science, we often don’t take the time to expand our minds and ranges of what’s valuable and what’s not. Additionally, when dealing with science related things, we tend to accumulate a bunch of assumptions from non-expertise, and craft our understanding of the matter into something that is the total opposite of what it is. This creates an ignorance and a sense of mockery towards the scientists that take their time to communicate findings and data to the general public. This statement also can be referred to as “the more you know, the more you grow” and vice versa.  -J.W.

The more you know, the more you grow

2. How might you design your blog to reflect the aims of science communication?

• The most important aspect of the design of the blog is to make the design simple enough for easy navigation of our audience while also being aesthetically pleasing to readers. The blog will be designed to make it as simple as possible for all to find the latest blog posts and research on a certain topic. We will also integrate a comment section into our blog because comments lead to discussion which is a major aspect of science communication. Comments allow for a reader to give their opinions, information, and emotions on a subject which can trigger someone to put in more in-depth research on a topic. The design of the blog will not be overwhelming and will welcome all audiences from all backgrounds to feel welcome in the science communication community. -N.A.

Mónica I. Feliú-Mójer’s Effective Communication, Better Science

1. How does the author define science communication? How have you used science communication in your life?

• Mónica I. Feliú-Mójer defines science communication as an activity that involves one person transmitting science-related information to another. She further explains that this can be as formal as a peer-reviewed article or as casual as a tweet or post on social media. I have used science communication in the background and discussion sections of lab reports, in day-to-day discussions with others about trending scientific topics—such as global warming, and I will begin to use science communication on a weekly basis as this blog grows and becomes a mechanism for thought and analysis of multiple science topics. -N.A.

2. Why is effective communication important in science? How might scientists and non-scientists benefit from effective communication?

• Effective communication is the ability to discuss a message simply and concisely so that it can be universally understood. Communication, specifically social learning associated with observing and engaging, is a defining characteristic of humans (Dietz). When a topic is communicated effectively, the most basic audience can begin to understand, and the most advanced will be able to take the science further and delve deeper into the topic. Science, like many other subjects, is a topic that can be overwhelming for many, but a strong understanding of the discipline is vital for everyday life. -N.A.

3. As a science student, what are some challenges associated with science communication? What might you gain from learning effective science communication?

• As discussed in Feliú-Mójer’s article, one challenge of science communication as a student is discussing a topic simply and effectively. As students, we are not experts in our fields of study, but we do have access to an abundance of peer-reviewed articles, astute educators, and notable research. This can lead to a student’s communication being overwhelming and containing topics that go over their own heads. Another challenge with science communication is the time and energy to make the communication effective. Keeping up with a blog, or any means of social communication, can be difficult, but success in doing so can lead to greater public interest. Learning effective science communication allows for a larger audience which can lead to interdisciplinary research—permitting multiple perspectives to give insight on a topic. Effective science communication allows data and research to become accessible for all audiences and imperative for science-based action. -N.A.

Review of “It’s Okay To Be Smart”

1. What do you think might be the strengths and weaknesses of the blog?

• One, out of many, strengths of the blog titled “It’s Okay to be Smart,” is the title itself. In today’s society there is a stigma around people knowing too much, which consequently forces the labels “geek” and “nerd” upon certain individuals. Putting myself in the shoes of someone who doesn’t read anything because of these very reasons, I would be intrigued when stumbling upon a blog that spoke to me directly about gaining more knowledge. I also think another strength of this blog is the topics discussed and the writers ability to effectively communicate with its targeted audience. For example, one of the topics on the blog is titled, “Science debunked.” This automatically caught my eye considering how reliable science information is supposed to be, and how some pieces of info are not. Additionally, the writer does a great job with incorporating visuals and hands on learning for readers. One of the weaknesses of the blog is that some of the videos can tend to be a bit lengthy and may scare away individuals coming to the blog looking for insight on the posted topics. -J.W.

2. Take a look at some of the blog topics. Which titles or topics were most appealing to you, and why?

• As stated in the previous questions, for example, the video titled “Science debunked” was very intriguing to me considering that I’m the type of person that likes to know the truth about the foods I put into my body, which was discussed. Also I think people like myself want to know the utmost truth about anything dealing with science and the world around us. Another interesting topic on the blog is the video titled “Why Money Isn’t Real.” In this video the author of the blog discusses how paper money holds less value than we think it does in comparison to the expensive machines that actually produce it. I believe that this very topic would be the bait for many individuals considering how money rules everything around us this day and age. Additionally, the author does a great job at communicating and reaching a general audience with scientific facts to back it up. -J.W.

3. Find and read at least two blog posts. Which blog posts did you read and what did you think of them?

• The posts from “It’s Okay To Be Smart” differ from a traditional blog, for they are videos instead of text posts. The first video I watched was titled “Are We All Related?” I chose this video because I enjoy learning more about genetics and ancestry; the video is also one of the blog’s most popular so I was more intrigued to watch. This video was very concise and interesting; it discussed topics in an intriguing way, specifically because of the images and videos that went along with the narrations. The length of the video was around six minutes which I appreciated. Personally, I begin to get uninterested in super lengthy videos and I think the creators of this blog recognize that in the majority of their posts. The second video I chose to watch was “Why does February Only Have 28 Days?” The question is something that I have never thought about, for I see it as a normal thing that I have simply accepted. This video did not easily communicate its topic which differs greatly from the first video I watched. I was not alone in my slight confusion as many of the comments of the video discussed how they did not understand anything or were lost the entirety of the video. -N.A.

4. What might you do differently or similarly with your blog?

• The “It’s Okay To Be Smart” blog seems to be used as a platform to access the blogger’s other sites. Their homepage leads to their YouTube channel, and all of their posts are YouTube videos. Our blog will consist of text posts; on occasion, we may attach a video to help further explanation of a topic, but all of our posts will be text posts. The blog does use intriguing thumbnails and picture that intrigue viewers, and we hope to do the same with the images included in our blog. -N.A.

Work Cited: Dietz, Thomas. “Bringing Values and Deliberation to Science Communication.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 12 Aug. 2013, pp. 1–7., doi:10.1073/pnas.1212740110.