Public Understanding and Public Engagement With Science

Session Submission Type: Invited Session

Abstract

The expansion of scientific knowledge along with a growing dependence on knowledge-based systems is leading to an expanding need for the general public to develop a basic understanding of the sciences, as well as the willingness and confidence to engage with sciences. Effective engagement with science entails the capacity to understand what scientists do, to reason about new scientific claims and controversies, to evaluate competing arguments and evidence, and to apply science when reasoning about social or personal issues. A recent conference on the “Public Understanding and Public Engagement with Science” brought together a multi-disciplinary group of researchers (e.g., communications science, cognitive psychology, science education, and developmental psychology). In this symposium, we present the issues, findings, and challenges that were raised at the conference.

Sub Unit

• Division C - Learning and Instruction

Chair

• Gale M. Sinatra, University of Southern California

Papers

• Theme 1: Characteristics of a Scientifically Informed Public - William A. Sandoval, University of California - Los Angeles

• Theme 2: Understanding and Evaluating Sources of Scientific Information - Rainer F. Bromme, University of Münster

• Theme 3: Impact of Internet and Media on Public Engagement with Science - Susan R. Goldman, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Theme 4: Communicating and Mediating Scientific Information for Understanding and Engagement - Anne Britt, Northern Illinois University

Discussants

• Janice M. Earle, National Science Foundation

• Anne Brüggemann, DFG (German Research Foundation)