Education and Public Outreach: Skills and Media

Education and Public Outreach: Skills and Media

Amber L. StuverLIGO Livingston Observatory

OutreachSocial networking has made this model antiquated and given the public a direct way to interact with scientists.OutreachHumanizes science and scientistsInspires public Especially important for young members of under-represented or underserved groups

LIGO Science Education Center (SEC)Science museum co-located at the LIGO Livingston ObservatoryBuilt on partnerships (LIGO, Exploratorium, SUBR, LaSIP)Focuses on inquiry based activities and showcasing scientists at workIn FY11, the SEC has served 11,873 (students/ teachers/public)

Personal ObservationsEnthusiasm is contagious!Its okay to not know the answer to something.Gross can equal interesting.Keep up with popular news stories.These are often excellent examples of science being a process.The fewer words on presentations slides, the better!Focus instead on illustrations, videos, and sounds.

Reveal bullet by bullet for more focused discussion.4Speaking to Different Grade Levels1st 3rd : more important to portray excitement than content4th 8th : excited about science and little reservations about showing itThis time is especially important to engage students9th : peer pressure becoming a hindrance to excitement about science 12th : many students become ambivalent or decided science isnt for themReveal bullet by bullet for more focused discussion.5Issues EncounteredLearn effective translations of jargon into common language.Think about explaining to a non-technical loved one.Puberty can cause common words to have distracting meanings.It is imperative to be respectful of others worldviewsDiscussing Religious IssuesYour science may be perceived as in conflict with religious beliefs.Understand what part of your science causes the conflict and why.Respect!Dont try to convert.You are the embodiment of science to many dont send them away feeling alienated.Make distinction between questions of science (How?) and questions of faith (Why?).Example: the Big Bang and Creation

From the Einsteins Messengers Documentary

What Can You Do?

A few ideasBloggingWrite about your science and your daily life!Ideas:What a day is like for you (humanize)News in your research field or otherwise (inspire)Answer reader questions (educate)If you write it, they will come (routines help).It will take some time to find your voice and your audienceNetwork with bloggers and promote on social media!

Just started!Even my friends are getting boredPost on my blog breaks Big Dog newsSean Carroll promotes my request for reader questionsRoutine posting beginsProvide Teacher Professional DevelopmentTeachers are required to perform continuing education and you can provide this.Themed Year of, etc. excellent for content.Materials can be provided by professional societies.Funding is available too!Build relationships with schools advertise early to get the turn out you want.LaserFest Teachers Day at SESAPSAPS Outreach Office provided 30 PhysicsQuest kitsTeachers received training and materials (free!)Talk by LSU AMO physicist on lasers in AMFunded by APS Forum on Education Mini-grant, AAPT, and the OSA Foundation.$ needed only for breakfast, lunch, and refreshmentsLunch with physicists attending SESAPS MeetingAAPT granted 6 National Continuing Education Units (not hard for us to be certified)About 20 teachers from 9 parishes15

LaserFestTeachers Day In Action!Yes, she is cutting her own hair!Give Talks to Interested GroupsDevelop canned talks that can be recycled and easily adaptedScience Cafs, teacher societies (MSTA)Amateur science societies (e.g. astronomical)Local chapters of professional societiesIEEE, AIAA, ASMECommunity organizationsRotary, library lecturesRemember: Keep text on slides to a minimumNot like this slide!Visit SchoolsMost schools arent sure how to attract interested scientists but they will rarely turn away the offer of a visit!Bring your enthusiasm!Small demonstrations, activities, computer simulations, anything to engage!If you cant be there in person, consider using Skype, etc.

Other IdeasHave an open house on campus.Write articles for The Physics Teacher, etc.Develop classroom activities to connect concepts to current research.Talk with your education department about ways to interact with pre-service teachers.Work with professional societies to develop educational materials.SummaryMake your science accessible in any way or media you can.To become effective at communicating science, you must do it! You will find your unique voice.Respect religious beliefs, class, and treat your audience as an equal.If you dont feel comfortable, work with people who are!

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