Sports fans’ science knowledge is relevant to their stance on COVID-19 guidelines, but only if they don’t care who wins

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Sports fans’ science knowledge is relevant to their stance on COVID-19 guidelines, but only if they don’t care who wins

Author: Ayelet Baram-Tsabari – Technion Institute of Technology, Israel

Co-authors:

  • Yael Barel-Ben David – Faculty of Education in Science and Technology, Technion, Israel
  • Julia Bronshtein – Faculty of Education in Science and Technology, Technion, Israel
  • Yael Rozenblum – Faculty of Education in Science and Technology, Technion, Israel
  • Hani Swirski – Faculty of Education in Science and Technology, Technion, Israel

In recent decades, science education has become mandatory in many countries, under the assumption that scientifically literate individuals make better, more logical, informed decisions. However, studies on ideology-related science controversies show that there tend to be larger differences of opinion between individuals with more education and knowledge of science, a phenomenon that is mainly attributed to motivated reasoning. Here we investigated the relationship between background in science, science knowledge, and motivated reasoning in an authentic scenario involving individuals” commitment to their favorite sports team during the COVID-19 outbreak. Sports fans (n = 264) completed an online survey on health guidelines obligating a basketball team to go into self-isolation in the midst of the Euroleague championships.

The findings indicated that being a fan of this particular team was the main predictor of participants’ responses: individuals with greater general science knowledge and greater knowledge of the coronavirus were more likely to say that players should stay in isolation, but only if they were not fans of that team. For fans, there was no correlation between general science knowledge or knowledge of the coronavirus and their stance on the need for isolation. This underscores the relevance of science knowledge in taking an informed position on science in everyday life, but also the overwhelming power of motivated reasoning.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Individual paper
Theme: Time

Understanding willingness to engage in “democratic outreach” among science faculty at U.S. land-grant universities

Author: Luye Bao – University of Wisconsin-Madison, China

Co-authors:

  • Dominique Brossard – University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States
  • Mikhaila N. Calice – University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States
  • Ezra M. Markowitz – University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States
  • Kathleen M. Rose – Dartmouth College, United States
  • Dietram A. Scheufele – University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States

Scientists have long been encouraged to effectively communicate their work with the general public through participation in various science communication activities. However, minimal research has been done to systematically identify the factors that influence scientists” willingness to engage with the public at both individual and institutional levels.

This study constructs an index of “democratic outreach, which includes communication with the public through policymakers and media. Different from previous studies that analyze self-motivation and barriers, we incorporate new variables, such as academic performance and scientists” perceived value of lay public’s perspectives on discussions about scientific research. We also extend prior literature by exploring how science faculty’s university, college, department, and colleagues influence their engagement in democratic outreach.

To explore what underlying factors determine the likelihood that scientists will participate in democratic outreach with the public, media, and policymakers, we use a 2018 census survey with tenure-track science faculty at 30 land-grant doctoral universities with very high research activities across the United States (n = 5,175, respondent rate = 14.5%).

Preliminary results demonstrate that young scientists are more willing to participate in democratic outreach, suggesting a potential generational difference. Science faculty’s relative academic performance is associated with greater willingness to participate in democratic outreach. Connections to public service missions and support from department leaders are positively associated with scientists” future participation in democratic outreach. These findings reveal important factors that encourage the future development of scientists as effective public communicators. This study advances the burgeoning research in public engagement through the analysis of factors rarely previously explored.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Individual paper
Theme: Time

Using narratives and storytelling based on famous and historical characters to engage the public with science

Author: Katie Banister – University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Co-authors:

  • Magaly Acaves Martin – University of Aberdeen
  • Gordon Fernie – University of Aberdeen
  • Beatriz Goulao – University of Aberdeen
  • Clare Robertson – University of Aberdeen
  • Samantha Wileman – University of Aberdeen

Storytelling is a creative and appealing tool to communicate science to the public. Research suggests narratives are easier to comprehend and more engaging than traditional scientific communication. The aim of our public engagement group is to use storytelling and narratives to develop activities communicating concepts related to Health Services Research.

We developed storytelling activities to communicate two of our research areas: clinical trials and evidence synthesis. We build stories centred on key characters, and the concepts we want to communicate, through brainstorming sessions. We adapt our activities for the audience and pilot activities as a group. We use props and visual and sound cues to enhance the activities. We evaluate and adapt our activities using engaging questions for our target audience – about the key message and their enjoyment. We used these methods to develop activities for local science festivals and at local schools, engaging with over 2,000 people.

Our activities all involved a narrative and historical or fictional characters. Scottish naval doctor James Lind who ran the first clinical trial for scurvy is one historical character. We re-enacted the scurvy trial with primary school pupils, including role play and singing. Science festival-goers approached our team of sailors for a clinical trial themed candy tasting which was our opener for discussions about health research. To explain evidence synthesis, we used Sherlock Holmes and a treasure hunt with school children and families. Using props, noises and visual cues creates curiosity in the public that can develop into a conversation between researchers and citizens.

Our visual presentation will showcase our methods of catering to different audiences and highlight our learning points. We have found this a successful first step in engaging the public in our research.

On behalf of HSRU public engagement group

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Visual presentation
Theme: Time

A year in the life of a public partnership – working together to improve public communication of our research

Author: Katie Banister – University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Co-authors:

  • Katie Gillies – University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
  • Members of HSRU Public Partners Group – Public Representative Group, United Kingdom
  • Craig Ramsay – University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Our department focusses on research to improve health services. By maximising public engagement, we aim for more meaningful involvement in our research and better communication. This visual presentation, developed with members of the public, will highlight the transforming effect of public involvement in a research unit and our learning points.

We set up an independent group of public representatives, local to Aberdeen, facilitated by a dedicated co-ordinator for public engagement (KB). Our group gives a public perspective across the activities of the Research Unit. We discuss, and work to improve, the accessibility of research proposals, information for the public, results from research studies and public engagement events.

We work as a group, with meetings through the year, supplemented by email consultations. We value the face-to-face meetings, being part of a team and the insight of visiting the department to see researchers in their working environment. A bonus of the meeting format is the sharing of ideas and perspectives which is harder to facilitate by individual emails. Regular opportunities for feedback and evaluation contribute to a cycle of ongoing improvement in our communication.

Our visual presentation will focus on how we work and evaluate our collaboration with the public. It will be supplemented by a poster highlighting our lessons learned and impacts. Our group are extremely positive about the group dynamic and the research they contribute to. They have worked as a team to improve the accessibility of information for the public and feel they too have become advocates for ‘good research’. Within the research unit this has enhanced the way we engage with the public and provided opportunities to improve public understanding of research.

By linking involvement and engagement, we promote mutual sharing of ideas to improve the way we involve and communicate with the public about our research.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Visual presentation
Theme: Transformation

Time for a new audience: Boorna Waanginy, Case Study of an Art/Science/Culture phenomenon

Author: Mandy Bamford – Bamford Consulting Ecologists, Australia

Can art and non-traditional partnerships communicate science to a broad audience? Can they be used to make people care, and take action to protect biodiversity?

Traditionally, biological and geological sciences are communicated to small and dedicated audiences. In contrast, Western Australia’s ‘Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak’ used cutting edge technology and a collaborative team of artists, scientists and Indigenous Elders to tell the story of south-western Australia’s unique biodiversity through geological time, and explore the parallels between Indigenous knowledge and western science. Boorna Waanginy, the opening event of Perth Festival in 2017 and 2019, was a free, immersive light and sound installation along a one and a half kilometre walk through King’s Park in Western Australia. Audiences were exposed to a walk-though experience projected on the trees, where the voices of Indigenous people explained the six Noongar seasons and the species which appear in them. They were then challenged with beautiful, yet chilling visuals depicting threats to biodiversity and were called to act to protect it. In the finale, they were shown stories of people who were already taking action. Following a highly successful season in 2017 which attracted 110,000 people, Boorna Waanginy was updated and remounted in February 2019. In 2019, the show involved thousands of school children and included ‘Ground Beneath Our Feet’, a practical component to help people take on-ground action to help biodiversity. The show doubled its audience to over 220,000 over four nights and was voted the most popular event at the Festival.

Collaboration with non-traditional partners such as the arts, culture and humanities can engage new audiences and open up powerful opportunities for the communication of science. The presentation will include footage of the event, and the successes, challenges, learnings, and future applications of this approach will be discussed.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Visual Presentation
Theme: Time

Taking ‘a load off our minds’ through ‘airing our dirty laundry’: An installation for participation and dialogue

Author: Jo Bailey – Wellington School of Design, Massey University / Centre for Science in Society, Victoria University, New Zealand

Co-authors:

  • Kate Hannah – Centre for Science in Society Victoria University of Wellington / Te PÅ«naha Matatini, New Zealand
  • Rebecca Priestley – Centre for Science in Society, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
  • Rhian Salmon – Centre for Science in Society, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

The 2019 NZ Association of Scientists conference had a theme of “Changing the Culture of Science”, with keynotes covering equity, diversity and inclusion. To recognise, counterbalance and give space to discuss the potentially “heavy” content, we developed a playful installation: a low-fi cardboard laundromat called “A load off your mind”. The idea was to provide a place to share thoughts about scientific culture: what it is, what it could/should be, and personal experiences that have shaped it. NZAS was our first iteration of this vehicle for collective engagement and reflexivity, which has subsequently been repurposed at the Australasian Association for the History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science and Science Communication Association NZ conferences.

The catalyst was a comment about “airing dirty laundry”, and pertinent puns followed: being “pressed” into action to “iron out” problems; “cleaning up” our acts; getting “all in a lather” over vexing issues; perhaps “agitating””¦ These metaphors” humorous simplicity belie the serious possibility of a laundromat as a transformative “third place” or “third space”.

The installation uses projective “probes”, fashioned as paper garments containing prompts that feel straightforward, but allow articulation of motivations, attitudes and biases or “thoughts, hopes, and fears” without specifically asking for them. Garments can be placed in a washing machine for cathartic “cleaning”, then pegged out on the line to share. This design-led approach seeks informal qualitative responses (drawings, statements, stories). In this context, the laundromat format is exploratory, not confirmatory and is not seeking specific data, rather it allows autonomy for participants to shape their own engagement.

Inspired by Maja Horst’s “make an intervention and see what happens” approach, and conducted as an iterative human-centred design practice, we will take you on a spin through “A load off your mind” laundromat, giving a wash-up of what we”ve learnt so far.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Individual paper
Theme: Transformation

Practices of Public Science and Technology Communication in Colombia and Spain. Study from the science centers Parque Explora (Medellín) and Cosmo Caixa (Barcelona).

Author: Mabel Ayure – Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Spain

Co-author: Rosa Franquet – Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona Spain

This paper presents the results of the doctoral research “Public communication practices of science and technology developed in Colombia and Spain in science museums: Parque Explora (Medellín) and CosmoCaixa (Barcelona)”.

The objective of the research was to analyze the relationship between theory and practice in the PCST practices of these museums. For this, we selected PCST practices of access, interaction and participation developed in these museums during the years 2017 and 2018. The study was developed with a qualitative methodology through documentary review, observation and semi-structured interviews of the actors related to the practices in each museum.

The research questions that were asked were:
– How the practices that communicate science to the public in museums of science of Colombia and Spain are created and developed?
– What is the relationship between the science communication practices of museums and science centers with the traditional models of public communication of science and technology?

To analyze and compare the practices of science centers we define five categories:
– Structure
– Actors involved
– How it develops
– What is the starting point
– Where it is going

The results show two groups of relationships in the development of the practices. In the first group, we identify three relationships between the structure (Contents, Formats, Mediations), the actors (Specialists, Mediators, Public) and the sequence of creation (Scientific selection, Didactic exhibition design, Disclosure) of the practices. In the second group, where major differences can be seen, there is a relationship between the initial engagement modes (Inform / Advertise, Invite / Demonstrate, Consult / Connect) and the final objectives of each practice (Involve, Collaborate, Empower).

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Individual paper
Theme: Transformation

10 years of math hands-on activities in Mexico

Author: Paloma Zubieta – National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico

Co-authors:

  • Mariana Carnalla – Centro de Investigación en Matemáticas (CIMAT-Guanajuato), Mexico
  • Paulina de Graaf – Centro de Investigación en Matemáticas (CIMAT-Guanajuato), Mexico

The majority of societies have a misconception of what Mathematics really are and cannot understand what are they important for. That is probably why they developed emotions, attitudes and beliefs that are not favorable for their Mathematical thinking. The main question we are addressing here is how hands-on activities can contribute to modify misconceptions about Mathematics and, therefore, start —or not— a transformation on the way society perceives and understands Math and Science.

For almost a decade, we have been working on hands-on activities from a scicom perspective in two different academical institutions —the Centro de Investigación en Matemáticas (CIMAT) at Guanajuato and at the Instituto de Matemáticas of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (IMUNAM) at Mexico City— with similar approaches and at a variety of urban and rural environments reaching over one million people. We think that in Mexico, as in other countries, this Math communication products ought to modify perceptions and are useful in many different ways to contribute to social transformation else than just surprising and entertaining, as they already do.

Our aim is to discuss and find the biggest challenges and best practices for Math hands-on activities and how they can be implemented in different scenarios —outside schools—, maximizing their impact on diverse publics, where every person could enjoy activities that involve new ways to relate them to Mathematics, developing their scientific culture for transforming societies and truly assimilating Math at their daily life, generating public understanding and engagement with science.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Insight talk
Theme: Transformation

Ensuring trust in science – Why perceived motives and the motivation of researchers are important in science communication?

Author: Ricarda Ziegler – Wissenschaft im Dialog, Germany

Trust in science and researchers has become an important topic lately. Science communication has risen to unusual heights on the agenda of the scientific system and science policy-making not least in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic with political measures to fight it often being science-based.

Since its establishment in 2014 and also in three survey waves conducted in 2020, the German representative survey on public science attitudes – the science barometer – has included different questions around the concept of trust in science.

One aspect which comes up regularly here, as well as in other surveys, is the role which researchers’ motives, the orientation of science towards the public interest and the dependence of researchers on their funders play when it comes to (dis-)trusting science. In this talk, results from the science barometer will be presented focusing on perceived motives and benevolence of scientists as well as on stakeholders driving research agendas in the eyes of respondents. Apart from results of close-ended questions and agreement levels for relevant items, results from open-ended questions will be presented on what constitutes a good researcher and who are the funders of research according to the respondents’ best knowledge. The results will be put into the context of trust in science and used to argue for transformative processes within science communication practice.

Thus far, a shift from only sharing results towards also communicating scientific methods and processes has been proclaimed as part of the solution for ensuring trust in science. However, it will be claimed that science communication should entail even more and that there should be a greater effort to communicate motivations of researchers for working in science.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Individual paper
Theme: Transformation

Joining forces for more impact – Bridging the gap between science communication practice and research

Author: Ricarda Ziegler – Wissenschaft im Dialog, Germany

“The shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot” – while science communication at its core communicates evidence-based messages, evidence-based approaches are rarely applied when evaluating the success, effect and impact of science communication itself. Many science communication practitioners still work by their own heuristics – mostly “gut feeling” – and science communication researchers often shy away from making practical recommendations from their results. This can lead to misunderstandings, an inefficient use of resources or in the worst case a waste of (public) money.

In our understanding, agenda setting and strategy formulation for science communication on a policy-making level has to be based on an informed understanding of science-society relations. This should translate into projects and activities which are set up according to the best available knowledge. At the same time, science communication researchers need to consider practical limitations and realities if they want to make contributions relevant for science communication practice – not denying the importance of research on the fundamental mechanisms of the public or individuals dealing with science.

This talk will present the argument for more fruitful collaborations between science communication practice and research in order to improve the impact and relevance of both. But how do we achieve this? First results and experiences from the establishment of a national platform on impact and evaluation in Germany will be shared. Supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany’s national science communication organisation Science in Dialogue has recently started to work on bridging the gap between science communication practice and research by implementing such a platform.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Insight talk
Theme: Transformation

Exploration of the Danish Consensus Conference On Genetic Therapy

Author: Jixuan Zhou – Peking University, China

Consensus conference is a practical form of scientific communication. For a long time, the discussion of consensus conference mostly stays on the macro-study of its form and significance, lacking of detailed case study. Besides, there has been almost no content analysis of consensus conference. Denmark as the origin of the consensus conference, held five consensus conferences on gene topics from 1897 to 2002. Other countries also held consensus conferences on gene topics almost at the same time.

Therefore, this speech will combine the above issues with the theme of PCST Conference to take the Danish consensus conference on genetic therapy held in 1995 as case, and discuss the following aspects:

1. Background and overview of the Danish consensus conference on genetic therapy. Analyze the reason, process and main content of the conference.

2. Past: Problems of the Danish consensus conference on genetic therapy. Formally, the consensus conference did not achieve real consensus. The participation of conference is limited and the validity is low. In content, scientists and the public have different concerns. Under the influence of scientific communication and genetic essentialist, the public has the suspicion of exaggerating the harmfulness of genetic therapy unilaterally. So what are the consequences of the above problems?

3. Present: The situation of the consensus conference and genetic therapy in Denmark. The Danish Technical Committee was cancelled by the government in 2012 due to the low participation. Other countries have also stopped consensus conference on gene issues. Public attitudes toward genetic therapy did not change much. So what inspiration does this case told us?

4. Future: Put forward the improvement measures of the public understanding of science. We need to improve science communication, respect the multiple values of the “non-consensus”, and try to develop the way of dialogue between scientists and the public to the direction of nationalization, systematization and legalization.

Presentation type: Visual presentation
Theme: Time

A study on the popular science mass media of China in comparative perspective

Author: Ji Zhao – National Academy of Innovation Strategy, CAST, China

Co-authors:

  • Xuan Liu – National Academy of Innovation Strategy, CAST, China
  • Fujun Ren – National Academy of Innovation Strategy, CAST, China

It is stressed in China that technology innovation and science popularization are like the two wings that drive innovative development. However, at this moment, the development of technology innovation and science popularization is still unbalanced in China. One of the main challenges is that the input in popular science is inadequate. Scientists, enterprises and mass media are not actively engaged in supporting science popularization.

In this paper, efforts are focused on the popular science mass media, to study the difference between China’s and abroad representative popular science mass media. In China, the popular science websites Guokr.com and SciMall.com are investigated. These two are among the most popular websites within the lay public and the scientific community. And each has its Wechat official account, which pushes once or twice posts daily. Internationally, the MIT Technology Review is selected for comparison purpose. The selection criteria of the investigated objects are these mass medias have the similar target audience in term of generation, education background, interest range. Comparisons are performed in aspects of topic quality and coverage, report depth and hotspots, journalist workforce, reader’s service and etc.

It is concluded that each representative popular science mass media has its unique characteristics. However, there is still room for the mass media in China to improve, such as focusing more on providing scientific perspective for the latest news to help people understand its long-term outcome and impact. Furthermore, it is suggested to establish the mechanism of converting scientific and technological achievements into popular science resources. Meanwhile, Work related to popular science should be included in the incentive system of scientific research personnel, and a certain proportion of national science and technology projects and talent awards should be reserved for popular science talents.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Visual presentation
Theme: Technology

How to foster scientific culture in the public: The role of academic journals

Author: Ji Zhao – National Academy of Innovation Strategy, CAST, China

Co-authors:

  • Zhengfeng Li – Tsinghua University, China
  • Hans Peter Peters – Research Center Jülich, Free University Berlin, Germany
  • Emma Weitkamp – University of the West of England, United Kingdom

Initially scientific culture came into being within the scientific community. It is a set of values, patterns, code of conduct and social norms established based upon scientific activities. With the advance of modern science and technology in the past few decades, scientific culture has penetrated every corner of the society and become a mainstream value. At the same time, the diversity of social culture has also impacted affectedon scientific culture and shaped its diverse features.

Nowadays, due to the widespread usage of the social media such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, the public is widely exposed to science misinformation and extensive reports about the misconduct of the scientific community and the inappropriate application of modern science and technology. On the one hand, these negative information reports triggers self-reflection and self-criticism in the scientific community. On the other hand, the public tends to form pessimistic opinion and lose trust in science and technology. How to foster scientific culture in the public is a challenge facing government and the scientific community.

Academic journal plays an important role in scholarly communication. It ensures the quality of published findings by the merit of the peer review and the expertise of the workforce. Driven by the development of technology and economy, academic journals itself themselves areis also subject to profound changes. The use of networks, the growth of data-intensive and data-driven science and globalization of research have enriched the publishing context and dissemination model of journals. Academic journal provides good opportunities to showcase the development level and the diversities of scientific culture worldwide. Meanwhile, it can also be a source and site of regeneration of innovation ideas in the research field.

Therefore, in the proposed roundtable discussion, we would like to focus on the role of academic journals to foster scientific culture in the public.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Roundtable discussion
Theme: Transformation

Second star to the right: A cultural project connecting art, tourism, history and astronomy

Author: Alessandra Zanazzi – INAF Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Italy

Co-authors:

  • Chiara Di Benedetto – Bas Bleu Illustration, Italy

We present a project by Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) and Bas Bleu Illustration, a new format for a valuable cultural experience, connecting Astronomy to Art and History and creating collaborations between different cultural and scientific Institutions on the territory. This project is being carried out in Florence, undoubtedly one of the most visited places in the world: here, since Medieval times, through Renaissance and later, many major monuments are impressively connected to Astronomy and Science was considered a most relevant part of the greatness and cultural identity of the city. Our project aims at connecting Art, History and Science through different media:

The astronomical guidebook of Florence: attractive, simple and not-specialistic describing the Astronomy content of many major monuments and leading the audience to search for Science into artistic masterpieces, historical monuments, churches, museums, places that tell us about illustrious scientists.

(E.g. the Brunelleschi Dome “containing” the tallest sundial in the world; the marble Zodiac in San Miniato Curch; the geographic representation of the known Earth at the time of Cosimo dei Medici in Palazzo Vecchio; Galileo’s house and footprints; etc.; A map and itineraries to explore autonomously those astronomical places; Events such as walking tours with the astronomer, family activities, students’ visits etc.; events carried out in collaboration with the relevant institutions (Churches, Museums, etc); Another guidebook, specifically addressing children and families; Virtual reality enhancements and App deepening (currently under study.

By illustrating the guidebook and the related activities, we will present how we promote the prominent role played by Astronomy and Science, exploring real connections between Science and Society. Raising citizens’ awareness and making them curious about those connections, is a big challenge in order to bring science beyond the borders of its traditional audiences and overcome the perceived dichotomy between the “two cultures”- the humanities and sciences.

Presentation type: Insight talk
Theme: Time

Engaging deaf and hearing people to design docu-drama on genetics research: Preliminary perspectives

Author: Bernard Appiah – Department of Public Health, Falk College, Syracuse University, Ghana

Co-authors:

  • Elvis Twumasi Aboagye – West African Centre for Cell Biology and Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana
  • Kyerewaa Akuamoah Boateng – West African Centre for Cell Biology and Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana
  • Paulina Tindana – University of Ghana School of Public Health
  • Alfred Tsiboe – KEBA Africa

The perspectives of deaf people in the design and implementation of science communication research projects are largely lacking particularly in low- and middle-income countries. According to the World Health Organization, disabling hearing loss affects over 5% of the global population or 466 million people. But how do you explain the genetics of deafness to deaf people and their family members?

A multidisciplinary team involving genetics researchers, deaf actors, actors who can hear, public engagement scholars and drama production experts in Ghana are working together to produce two 25-minute docu-drama science communication toolkits. One docu-drama will use only sign language to help reach deaf students of at least 18 years old in six Ghanaian schools for the deaf while the other docu-drama (with sign language insert) will be used to engage family members of deaf students.

The purpose of the toolkits is to help deaf people and their family members to understand the need for genetics research into hearing impairment or deafness. The lack of such a toolkit is making it challenging for Ghanaian researchers to engage deaf people and their family members for research into genetics of hearing impairment.

In June 2019, the multidisciplinary team of 30 people took part in a two-day, deliberative workshop. The workshop identified the challenges and opportunities of using docu-drama to engage with deaf people and their family members. The workshop also identified storylines for creating docu-drama on the genetics of hearing impairment, and key genetics terms that needed to be explained, among others.

In this Insight Talk (New ideas), we will share preliminary outcomes of the project including the script, and how the perspectives of deaf members on the team are shaping the project. We believe that our project is transformative because it widens the participation in science communication research for deaf people.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Insight talk
Theme: Transformation

Promoting the spirit of science through the history of science: Taking the “Shape of the Earth” exhibition of the Beijing Science Center as an example

Author: Hujun Yuan – Hefei TanAo Automation CO., LTD., China

Co-authors:

  • Kun Li – Hefei TanAo Automation CO., LTD, China
  • Yajun Qi – Beijing Science Center, China

We organized and summarized the history of human understanding regarding the shape of the Earth and designed it into a popular science exhibition, with the aim of presenting the spirit of science to the audience through the exhibition, as opposed to merely introducing historical knowledge.

The spirit of empirical knowledge is an important representation of the spirit of science. According to an ancient Chinese book from the 1st century BC, if the shadows of an eight-foot-tall pole in two different places differ in length by one chi (Chinese inch), the North-South distance between the two places is a thousand li (Chinese mile). People remained deeply convinced of such a statement, until the 8th century, when the monk Yi Xing of the Tang dynasty conducted large-scale geodetic surveys to determine the correct length of one radian of the Earth’s meridian. In the exhibition, we described this part of history for the audience through an interactive wall. The wall interface is divided into four parts, which are respectively, background introduction, four points of measurement, production of observation tools, and calculating the results after conducting the measurement. We will explain the concept and significance of “empirical knowledge” through this interactive process.

The “hypothesis” is an important concept in scientific research. During the 17th century, the British scientist Sir Isaac Newton and French scientist Giovanni Domenico Cassini respectively hypothesized that the Earth is an oblate spheroid and that the Earth is a prolate spheroid. To explain this concept, we set up virtual animated characters of Newton and Cassini. When the viewer approaches the corresponding area, a sensor will be activated, to present this famous battle of the “British Orange and French Lemon” to the audience by means of a projection, while also explaining the underlying concept of the hypothesis to the audience.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Visual presentation
Theme: Time

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