Monday, February 7, 2011

Why am I doing this?

In class we are discussing the  importance of good science communication.  An article I read in class titled "Communication: a responsibility of all scientists" showed me the importance of good communication.  In the picture below you can see how poor science communication led to a panicked and misinformed public.

 
The article supplied guidelines to improve science communication skills.  As seen in the picture when the scientists are not directly communicating their research it has the potential to be misconstrued.  This is why a blog is such a good form to communicate science to people.  Initially I wanted to write this blog almost like a lecture were I just tell you facts.  Now I see to properly communicate science I have to be open to and willing to answer questions and reply to feedback.  Also I must ensure I write posts free of technical jargon.  I will now be sharing information about a school project I am participating in to use materials commonly used in body armor to produce mugs.

4 comments:

  1. my favorite part is the blog where it says scientists are out to kill us again and doesn't mention A or B anywhere. I think this kind of shows the dangers of this class and others that act similarly. Someone could end up reading one of our blogs and try to cause a small panic.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Classic... Cold Steel 1037 makes a good point. I think we should start a panic! Who's with me!?!?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very funny both points above are pretty good keep them coming

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yeah, a ceramic mug panic. Right.

    Really, though, blogging has its own perils. There are plenty of bloggers out there who have gotten themselves into trouble (or at least very intense debates) through blogging (check out Judith Curry, for example).

    But at least it's engagement. You can't have the debate if you hide.

    ReplyDelete