SCIENCE ON TV

Identifying best practices for successful facilitation of science learning through general interest television programming

Coordinatore	TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY    more  Organization address address: TECHNION CITY - SENATE BUILDING city: HAIFA postcode: 32000 contact info Titolo: Mr. Nome: Mark Cognome: Davison Email: send email Telefono: +972 4 829 4854 Fax: +972 4 823 2958
Nazionalità Coordinatore	Israel [IL]
Totale costo	153˙377 €
EC contributo	153˙377 €
Programma	FP7-PEOPLE Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)
Code Call	FP7-PEOPLE-IOF-2008
Funding Scheme	MC-IOF
Anno di inizio	2010
Periodo (anno-mese-giorno)	2010-02-01   -   2012-01-31

 Partecipanti

#	participant	country	role	EC contrib. [€]
1	TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY  Organization address address: TECHNION CITY - SENATE BUILDING city: HAIFA postcode: 32000 contact info Titolo: Mr. Nome: Mark Cognome: Davison Email: send email Telefono: +972 4 829 4854 Fax: +972 4 823 2958	IL (HAIFA)	coordinator	153˙377.42

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Science communication is an almost non-existing field in the Israeli Academia and I see as my professional goal to spearhead its development. Therefore, the research proposed is aimed at identifying best practices for successful facilitation of science learning through general interest television programming, in order to increase the general publics' science literacy. This research proposal has a strong interdisciplinary aspect: it is situated at the crossroad of science education (specifically in free choice settings) and science communication (specifically science journalism). It is planned to enable me to take advantage of my existing skills, and at the same time gain knowledge of new research methodologies. So far, my research and training has been in the field of Science Education. This discipline does share similarities with the field of science communication, such as theoretical background and research methodologies in the area of informal science education. However, notwithstanding those similarities and my personal background as a science communicator (reporter, editor and TV presenter) it is clear to me that to meet my professional goals I need the superb formal science communication training that is available in Cornell under the guidance Prof. Lewenstein. As a junior faculty member it is important for me to develop my own niche in the academic environment and in order to further my academic position I am required by my University to complete a Post Doc in another country.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Scientists often struggle when explaining their work to the public. An EU-funded project developed an assessment tool to measure scientists' knowledge about science communication and their skill level.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Although much effort has been invested in science communication training, little work has been done in developing a systematic evaluation of learning outcomes.

To fill this gap, EU-funded researchers on the SCIENCE ON TV project have developed and piloted learning goals and an instrument to measure whether they have been achieved. Guided by existing literature and interviews with active scientists to establish face validity and test/retest reliability, the instrument collected four types of data: background information, written communication skills, views about science communication, and knowledge about the context of science communication.

The tool was piloted in various contexts, in two languages, during semester-long courses, and one- and two-day interventions with undergraduate and graduate science and engineering students, and with practicing scientists.The outcome of the project was an assessment tool that can be used as a baseline survey or as a pre-post evaluation of the learning outcomes of science communication and training programmes and courses.

The tool provided detailed analyses of scientists' written skills, as well as novel measurements such as a jargon index.

The analysis highlighted the importance of assessing actual performance, rather than declared knowledge.

Results have also led to areas for further research, such as better understanding the mismatch between what scientists say they know about science communication and what they actually know and the limited use of narrative and analogy.

The SCIENCE ON TV tool can be used to document changes in scientists' abilities to develop and convey their messages to the general public.

Other professionals such as journalists and media trainers in the science field will be able to communicate information more effectively with the general public.