Science Communication No comments yet

A Commentary piece, “Science Communication Revisited”, in the June, 2009, issue of Nature Biotechnology discusses increasing public involvement in science issues and decision-making.

Concerns are raised about the state of science education and scientific literacy more generally.

If only the public were more knowledgeable about things scientific, the article states, they would see things through the eyes of the expert.

Education

I was fortunate enough to have attended private schools from elementary through high school. Very few children are so lucky.

My biology teacher was a Catholic nun. She introduced us to Teilhard de Chardin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Teilhard_de_Chardin).

Teilhard was a Jesuit priest who was trained as a paleontologist and geologist and took part in the discovery of Peking Man. He also studied botany and zoology. His book, The Phenomenon of Man, talks about the unfolding of the material cosmos towards the Omega Point, a maximum level of consciousness, that is pulling all creation towards it. Evolution, according to Teilhard, was the process of matter becoming aware of itself.

Therefore, I was able to receive a fairly sound exposure to evolution. On the other hand, the chapters on male and female biology and the reproductive process was ripped out of my text book.

(I know, because we found an unaltered book and read that forbidden text.)

At any rate, I grew up in an agricultural environment and knew what it was all about.

If you’re interested in the state of scientific education or education in public schools in Texas, I recommend the Texas Freedom Network (http://txfree.convio.net/site/PageServer ).

Experts

Concerning experts, I remember my section chief telling me, “You have to forgive Bryan, he still believes in experts.” Brian was our lead engineer.

As far as experts go, you have to be able to separate the good from the bad.

I recommend this article, Crap Detection 101 (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/rheingold/detail?entry_id=42805) and the CRAP Test (http://www.workliteracy.com/the-crap-test).

The CRAP test is a way to evaluate an internet source based on the following criteria: Currency, Reliability, Authority and Purpose/Point of View.

The article and test’s main focus is the internet — how to tell real from bogus. It’s not too hard to extrapolate the points they make to everyday life.

Scientific Literacy

Science and technology are changing so rapidly, that many people have simply given up on trying to keep up. Their scientific literacy consists of newspaper articles or blurbs on the TV news.

A lot of what is presented as science on network television is implausible (not to mention the technology used on these shows).

I think to really succeed, real scientists must pay attention to what is presented to the general public and critique it through publications, such as letters to the editor, blogs, appearances, etc. as much as possible.

Scientists should also by of an open mind as to the intelligence of your audience.

We have way too many people with 200 point IQ levels digging ditches in this country. We spend an inordinate amount of funds and interest on educating special children. We should be spending just as much time and funds (if not more) identifying and encouraging the geniuses among us who find education boring and quickly loose interest.

The interest in science is out there, but scientists must take an interest in how what passs for science is disseminated, validate or invalidate that science, identify the appropriate target audience, and address that audience level to really open up the forum on true scientific communication.

Salon, an e-zine, has a really good article. Why America is flunking science (http://www.salon.com/env/feature/2009/07/13/science_illiteracy/?source=newsletter) that is worth the read.

Here’s another link where the author lists current “myths” surrounding scientists engaging with the media.

http://scienceblogs.com/christinaslisrant/2009/07/when_discussing_scientists_eng.php