What We Mean When We Talk About Science Communication

Carol Lynn Alpert, Co-PI

# 1231319

NSE Annual Meeting December 10, 2019

What We Mean When We Talk About Science Communication

Carol Lynn Alpert, Co-PI

# 1231319

NSE Annual Meeting December 10, 2019

Collaboration with IBM Q

Look Inside a Quantum Computer

Quantum MattersTM Science Communication Competition

2018 Finalists

Finals before a live audience...

Panel of distinguished judges Evelyn Hu(Harvard)

Joseph Checkelsky

(MIT)

Christopher Schmidt

(NOVA/PBS)

Sue Stoessel

(Museum of Science)

Film promo: The 2018 Quantum Matters(TM)

Science Communication Competition Finals

mos.org/qmc2018

Two Telly Film Awards

2019: A National Competition

2019 NationalCompetition

2019 National Quantum MattersTM

Science Communication Competition

www.mos.org/qmc2019

Film promo: The 2019 Quantum Matters(TM)

Science Communication Competition Finals

What We Mean When We Talk About Science Communication

1

• Inform and inspire• Advance science literacy and methodology• Open pathways to STEM careers• Engage public audiences in discussion of the

societal implications of science and technology• Motivate support for funding through discussion

of potential applications...

Education & Outreach

Zach Weinersmith

Zach Weinersmith

What We Mean When We Talk About Science Communication

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Evidence-Based Guidance

If we are given the evidence, we will make better choices for ourselves and our loved ones...• e.g.: diet, smoking, exercise, sleep)

Evidence-Based Guidance

What We Mean When We Talk About Science Communication

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If we give the public the evidence, they will make better choices for themselves and for

... SOCIETY AS A WHOLE

Outreach and Messaging

The Science of Science Communication

If the evidence contradicts strongly held beliefs, values, worldviews, lifestyles, or livelihoods, people will find a way to shut it out.

The Science of Science Communication

They will:• Not listen (call it ”fake news”)• Deny it or provide “alternative facts”• Sow distrust of the messengers and their

motivations (defame, allege conspiracy)• Ignore, postpone action

2000 2006

2007 2009

2019 Later 2019

CIQM Post-Doc Diana P.L. Aude Craik at the Museum of Science

What We Mean When We Talk About Science Communication

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Scientists communicating with other scientists.

4(Effectively)

Bringing Nano to the Public DMR-1231319

Improved communication skills improves cross-disciplinary idea-sharing and collaboration

Individual coaching sessions prior to the Annual Meetings,with video feedback

At the Annual Meeting:

Structured feedback from all attendees andpresentation videos

Provided confidentially

Table 6. CIQM experiences reported by postdocs (n=18) and graduate students (n=39) who were active in CIQM for at least part of 2018 and responded to this year’s tracking survey.

CIQM Annual Evaluation Report 2018 L. Lenaburg

2nd highest-reported benefit for Post-Docs & Grad Students: “Improving my ability to communicate science to a

technical audience.”

# 1

# 2

Broaden Participation throughEffective Science Communication

Science Communication Workshops

For undergraduate research interns

Communicating science...with confidence

Alpert, C. L. (2015). REU Science Communication Workshop Planning & Implementation Guide, v 5.0. Museum of Science: NISE Network.

Peer feedback and videorecording

Science Communication Workshop at Howard, Session 2

Gaining confidence presentingscientific work to an audience of mentors and peers.

(Photos by C. L. Alpert)

Convocation Research Presentations

NSF-DMR 1231319

Guidance, coaching, practice, and filming all contributed to success and pride in their work.

“Significant improvement in confidence and communication skills”

- UMass Donahue Institute for Research and Evaluation

“Tackling Science Communication with REU Students: A Formative Evaluation of aCollaborative Approach,” C. L. Alpert, E. Levine, C. Barry, J. Isaacs, A. Fiorentino, K. Hollar, K.Thate, Materials Education, (Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 1234, 2009).

“Science Communication Workshops Planning & Implementation Guide

C.L. Alpert, K. Thate, Can a Nat. Network of Undergrad. Research Prog. Directors Validate a Set of Prof. Skills-Building Sci. Comm. Wkshps? MRS Online Proc. Library (2014).

2%

10%

28%

37%

23%

Noimprovement

Slightlyimproved

Moderatelyimproved

Muchimproved

Very muchimproved

How much have your science communication skills improved as a result of your participationIn this set of workshops?

n=700URM average 33% (R. Auster prelim results, paper in preparation)

2%

10%

28%

37%

23%

Noimprovement

Slightlyimproved

Moderatelyimproved

Muchimproved

Very muchimproved

How much have your science communication skills improved as a result of your participationIn this set of workshops?

n=70033% URM(R. Auster prelim results, paper in preparation)

2%

10%

28%

37%

23%

Noimprovement

Slightlyimproved

Moderatelyimproved

Muchimproved

Very muchimproved

How much have your science communication skills improved as a result of your participationIn this set of workshops?

n=70033% URM(R. Auster prelim results, paper in preparation)

.k5

77%80%

64%

69%

87%

77%

73%77%

81%

75%73%

80%

85%

90%

83% 82%

91%88%

91% 90%88%

83%85%

90%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

A B C D E F G H I J K Lnon-URM URMProgram elements

Most elements of the workshop were rated highlyby students. Under-Represented Minority Students

rated them all even higher.

1.1% 4.7%

47.1% 47.1%

No Not that important Yes Most Definitely

Would you recommend that students in other undergraduate research programs be offered the opportunity to participate in a similar set of science communication workshops?94% ‘yes’ or ‘most definitely’

1.1% 4.7%

47.1% 47.1%

No Not that important Yes Most Definitely

Would you recommend that students in other undergraduate research programs be offered the opportunity to participate in a similar set of science communication workshops?

“I wish all the professors and research people would take part in such a workshop. It makes you aware that no matter how great your results are, they don’t mean anything if you can’t communicate them to others.”

Museum of Science CIQM Team

Megan Litwhiler Karine Thate

Meg Rosenburg

Tina Brower-Thomas CIQM Education DirectorHoward University

54

Bob WesterveltCIQM PIHarvard University

www.youtube.com/nanonerds

Thank you

calpert@mos.org

DMR-1231319