Education and Public Outreach:
Skills and Media
Amber L. Stuver
LIGO Livingston Observatory
Outreach
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• 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 underrepresented or underserved groups
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)
Personal Observations
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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.
Speaking to Different Grade Levels
• 1st – 3rd : more important to portray excitement
than content
• 4th – 8th : excited about science and little
reservations about showing it
– This time is especially important to engage students
• 9th : peer pressure becoming a hindrance to
excitement about science
• 12th : many students become ambivalent or
decided science isn’t “for them”
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…
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…
From the Einstein’s Messengers
Documentary…
What Can You Do?
A few ideas…
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!
Post on my blog
breaks “Big Dog” news
Just started!
Sean Carroll promotes my
request for reader questions
Even my friends
are getting bored…
Routine posting begins
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.
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)
LaserFest
Teachers’ Day In Action!
Yes, she is cutting
her own hair!
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!
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.
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.
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!