This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
In a time when technology advances quickly, climatology changes landscapes, and environmental challenges pervade what seemed once simple, Scientists across the Globe find communication pertinent to the general public. Nuclear Physicists find themselves speaking to large groups of people who just want to understand what is going on in their world.
It seems relevant to encourage Scientists to interact more readily with the public to help dispel myths and also create ease where fear has engaged. Education is the foremost conveyance of knowledge to help rebuff where appropriate and inform where necessary. As Scientists’ ingenuity is always paramount, who better to formulate solutions to the world’s biggest challenges?
In problem solving sometimes a simple solution can be crucial. Sometimes a more complex solution is best. The point is to not rule out solutions, particularly on critical issues. In a day where Tsunamis, Hurricanes, Winter Blizzards, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and various other natural occurrences happen globally, affecting the lives of everyone, how can we fully engage and empower everyone to be a part of the solutions?
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One answer is via Science Nights with Science Fairs. Encourage local Scientists and fellow Scientists to share their information within their community and bring that information down to an Elementary School level. How simple is it to communicate to the public who generally do not all read at a University level? Scientists sharing their knowledge with children at an Elementary grade school level encourages interactivity amongst the community with parents, corporations, and colleges.
It helps empower the children to brainstorm ideas and envision a positive future ripe with possibilities of scientific exploration. Playing with toy bricks is fun. Learning to build spacecraft using toy bricks with a Rocket Scientist is incredible! Playing with cars for an eight year old is fantastic! Playing with cars building roads with an Environmental Civil Engineer is magnificent! Watching a documentary on marine life is fun. Getting to dissect a squid or a salmon with a Marine Biologist is indescribable! Flying paper airplanes is freeing when you are ten years old. Flying a paper airplane with an Aeronautical Engineer may be life changing for a young person. Finding out how an Earthquake is measured by creating a simulated Earthquake and measuring it on a Seismograph Machine at any age is awesome with a real Geologist. The possibilities are overwhelming.
If you could create a Science Night in your community for Elementary Students, what would you create? There are so many possibilities. How would you make it intriguing? Who would you have from your community there? What scientific businesses and which scientists would you bring in to help empower the children in your community? What theme would you entertain? What Scientific studies and solutions would the children propose? What kind of ideas might transform for the Scientists themselves after such an engagement?
Photos: Ardis Nelson