scholarly journals “We had to be very clear that they weren't going to try to break into any of the cases”: what potential do ‘escape rooms’ offer as a science communication technique?

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (01) ◽  
pp. C07
Author(s):  
Clare Wilkinson ◽  
Hannah Little
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Communication Technique ◽  
Science Centres ◽  
The U.S

‘Escape rooms’ are a recent cultural phenomena, whereby a group of ‘players’, often friends or colleagues, are ‘locked’ in a room and must solve a series of clues, puzzles, or mysteries in order to ‘escape’. Escape rooms are increasingly appearing in a range of settings, including science centres and museums, libraries and university programmes, but what role can an escape room play in science communication? In this commentary, we explore the emerging literature on escape rooms as well as thoughts from a small number of escape room creators in the U.S. and U.K.

scholarly journals Planetarium commute accessibility in the United States of America

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander A. Kaurov ◽  
Vyacheslav Bazhenov ◽  
Mark SubbaRao
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
The United States ◽  
Census Bureau ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Commute Time ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Zip Code ◽  
The U.S

The COVID-19 global pandemic unprecedently disturbed the education system in the United States and lead to the closure of all planetariums that were providing immersive science communication. This situation motivates us to examine how accessible the planetarium facilities were before the pandemic. We investigate the most important socioeconomic and geographical factors that affect the planetarium accessibility using the U.S. Census Bureau data and the commute time to the nearest planetarium for each ZIP Code Tabulated Area. We show the magnitude of the effect of permanent closure of a fraction of planetariums. Our study can be informative for strategizing the pandemic response.

scholarly journals Masters (MSc) in Science Communication. Dublin City University

2009 ◽  
Vol 08 (01) ◽  
pp. C05 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Trench
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Natural Sciences ◽  
Physical Sciences ◽  
Broad View ◽  
Outreach Services ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Science Centres ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Science In Society

The Masters (MSc) in Science Communication at Dublin City University (Ireland)
draws on expertise from several disciplines in human and physical sciences.
The programme takes a broad view of communication that includes the various
kinds of interaction between institutions of science and of society, as well
as the diverse means of exchanging information and ideas. Nearly 200 students
from a wide variety of backgrounds have completed the programme since its
start in 1996, and they work in many different types of employment, from
information and outreach services, to science centres, to publishing and
journalism. Through the programme, and in the dissertation in particular,
students are encouraged to reflect critically on the place and performance
of science in society, and on relations between the cultures of natural sciences
and of humanities and social sciences.

scholarly journals Models to build capacity for African science centres and science communication: needs and assets

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (01) ◽  
pp. A05
Author(s):  
Graham Walker ◽  
Leapotswe Bontle BANTSI ◽  
Siphesihle Bukhosini ◽  
Knowledge Chikundi ◽  
Akash Dusrath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Capacity Building ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Participatory Approaches ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Factors Analysis ◽  
Science Centres ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
Building Program ◽  
Capacity Building Program

Science communication is proliferating in the developing world, however, with respect to science centres, as a whole Africa is being left behind. Here 15 participants in a capacity building program are investigated using traditional needs-based and contemporary asset-based development conceptualisations. These development theories parallel deficit and participatory approaches, respectively, within science communication and demonstrate synergies between the fields. Data showed staffing, funding, governments, host institutions, and audiences are prominent needs and assets, networks are a major asset, and identified other influential factors. Analysis suggests a coordinated model involving individuals, host institutions and governments to facilitate growth of African science centres.

scholarly journals Exhibitions as learning environments: a review of empirical research on students’ science learning at Natural History Museums, Science Museums and Science Centres

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Petter Hauan ◽  
Stein Dankert Kolstø
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Science Learning ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Natural History Museums ◽  
Science Museums ◽  
Educational Activities ◽  
History Museums ◽  
Science Centres

One aim for many natural history museums, science museums and science centres is to contribute to school-related learning in science. In this article we review published empirical studies of this challenging area. The review indicates that the effectiveness of educational activities at different types of science-communication venues (SCV) in supporting students’ science learning varies. There is also evidence of interesting differences between activities, depending on how these activities are designed. Firstly, these activities can stimulate interest and conceptual focus through a well-designed combination of structure and openness. Secondly, they can stimulate talks and explorations related to the presented topics. We have identified two possible areas which might prove fruitful in guiding further research: an exploration of the effects of different designs for guided exploratory learning, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of educational activities by studying the presence and quality of the learning processes visitors are engaged in. 

scholarly journals The fronties of dialogue

2008 ◽  
Vol 07 (01) ◽  
pp. C01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Rodari
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
The Real ◽  
New Science ◽  
Science Centres ◽  
Education Projects ◽  
The Moment

“Dialogue” is the trendy word of the moment. The word “dialogue” can be found in the call to access European funding, in the works of Science Communication scholars, in presentations of science education projects, in the mission of new science centres. “Dialogue” is also a word reported by mass media regarding politicians' and scientists' speeches on general issues as well as on local or specific problems such as environment, health, energy, etc... This new magic word is frequently repeated and opens many doors (or perhaps it simply helps to make a good impression). However, there is the risk of ignoring the real meaning and functioning of the word. JCOM is therefore asking a number of experts involved in “dialogue” the following questions: what does it really mean? What are the theoretical principles, the practical opportunities, but also the risks and limits of “dialogue”?

scholarly journals More scientists and less surrogates

2010 ◽  
Vol 09 (02) ◽  
pp. C04 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Burnet
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Scientific World ◽  
Science Centres ◽  
The One ◽  
The University ◽  
Discussion Format ◽  
Unsolved Issue ◽  
The Ideal

Frank Burnet, now an independent consultant, was the director of the unit of Science Communication at the University of the West of England, and his work and research experience has mainly focused on the communication relation between science and society. In addition, Frank contributed to the development of the project “Meet the Gene Machine”, a discussion format concerning topical science issues. The positive aspect of participation games is the increase in the participants’ awareness of important issues, provided that the game experience is followed by structured discussion. In this case a fundamental role is played not only by the mediator, but also by the scientist. The presence of an expert, and not so much of a communicator, is crucial if you really want to create a contact between scientific world and civil society. An unsolved issue is what the ideal place for effective formal discussion on scientific topics among adults would be: indeed, science centres appear to be heavily associated with the academic establishment on the one hand, and with children entertainment places on the other. Furthermore, real channels for connection and communication exchange with decision makers are still lacking.

scholarly journals The emergence of modern science communication in Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. A01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toss Gascoigne ◽  
Jennifer Metcalfe
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Research Institutions ◽  
University Departments ◽  
University Courses ◽  
Sharp Growth ◽  
Science Centres ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Practice Of Science

Modern science communication has emerged over the last 60 years as a field of study, a body of practice and a profession. This period has seen the birth of interactive science centres, the first university courses to teach the theory and practice of science communication, the first university departments conducting research into science communication, and a sharp growth in employment of science communicators by research institutions, universities, museums, science centres and industry. This chapter charts the emergence of modern science communication in Australia, against an international background.

scholarly journals Little country, big talk

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (02) ◽  
pp. R01
Author(s):  
Toss Gascoigne
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
Research Institutions ◽  
Field Of Study ◽  
University Courses ◽  
Science Centres

Modern science communication has emerged as a field of study, a body of practice and a profession. In the last 60 years, we have seen the birth of interactive science centres, university courses, the first research into science communication, and a growth in employment by research institutions, universities, museums, science centres and industry. Now Ireland has told its story.

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