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Education and Public Outreach: Skills and Media

Education and Public Outreach: Skills and Media. Amber L. Stuver LIGO Livingston Observatory. Outreach. Social networking has made this model antiquated and given the public a direct way to interact with scientists. Outreach Humanizes science and scientists Inspires public

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Education and Public Outreach: Skills and Media

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  1. Education and Public Outreach: Skills and Media Amber L. Stuver LIGO Livingston Observatory

  2. Outreach • Social networking has made this model antiquated and given the public a direct way to interact with scientists. • Outreach • Humanizes science and scientists • Inspires public • Especially important for young members of under-represented or underserved groups   

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

  4. Personal Observations • Enthusiasm is contagious! • It’s 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.

  5. Speaking to Different Grade Levels • 12th: many students become ambivalent or decided science isn’t “for them” • 1st – 3rd: more important to portray excitement than content • 9th: peer pressure becoming a hindrance to excitement about science • 4th – 8th: excited about science and little reservations about showing it • This time is especially important to engage students

  6. Issues Encountered • Learn 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’ worldviews…

  7. Discussing Religious Issues • Your science may be perceived as in conflict with religious beliefs. • Understand what part of your science causes the conflict and why. • Respect! • Don’t try to “convert.” • You are the embodiment of science to many – don’t send them away feeling alienated. • Make distinction between questions of science (“How?”) and questions of faith (“Why?”). • Example: the Big Bang and Creation…

  8. From the Einstein’s Messengers Documentary…

  9. What Can You Do?A few ideas…

  10. Blogging • Write 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 audience • Network with bloggers and promote on social media!

  11. Post on my blog breaks “Big Dog” news Sean Carroll promotes my request for reader questions Routine posting begins Even my friends are getting bored… Just started!

  12. Provide Teacher Professional Development • Teachers 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.

  13. LaserFest Teachers’ Day at SESAPS • APS Outreach Office provided 30 PhysicsQuest kits • Teachers received training and materials (free!) • Talk by LSU AMO physicist on lasers in AM • Funded by APS Forum on Education Mini-grant, AAPT, and the OSA Foundation. • $ needed only for breakfast, lunch, and refreshments • Lunch with physicists attending SESAPS Meeting • AAPT granted 6 National Continuing Education Units (not hard for us to be certified)

  14. LaserFest Teachers’ Day In Action! Yes, she is cutting her own hair!

  15. Give Talks to Interested Groups • Develop “canned” talks that can be recycled and easily adapted • Science Cafés, teacher societies (MSTA) • Amateur science societies (e.g. astronomical) • Local chapters of professional societies • IEEE, AIAA, ASME • Community organizations • Rotary, library lectures • Remember: Keep text on slides to a minimum • Not like this slide!

  16. Visit Schools • Most schools aren’t 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 can’t be there in person, consider using Skype, etc.

  17. Other Ideas… • Have 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.

  18. Summary • Make 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 don’t feel comfortable, work with people who are!

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