Communicating Science to the Public (Ciba Foundation Symposium) - Hardcover

We live in a rapidly changing world in which science and technology influence the quality of our lives, for better or worse. An understanding of science is therefore important for all of us, yet the general level of scientific literacy is low. This conference brings together scientists and others working in museums, the media and education to discuss how science can be effectively communicated to the public. The contributors describe the public perception of science, the role of schools, museums and zoos in the communication of science, and the part played by the mass media and by science books. They debate the value of formal and informal sources of science education, the importance of active participation in science exhibits, the effectiveness of science theatre, and the influence of pseudoscience, parascience and science fiction. One conclusion of the conference is that science needs credibility; another is that scientists should learn to communicate better among themselves, as well as with the general public.