Communicating science to the young – future networksVienna, Jan 31- Feb 2 2008

Adriana Valente, Luciana Libutti

Science Communication and Educationwww.irpps.cnr.it/com_sci/index.php

National Research Council, Institute of Research on Population and Social Policiesadriana.valente@irpps.cnr.it

Perception and awareness of scienceEthics and Polemics

Main projects of science communication and education of the Italian National

Research Council, Institute of Research on Population and Social Policies

Perception and awareness of science- Ethics and Polemics. From 2000 to date in partnership with the British Councilmodels of science communication with schools

Biohead –Citizen. 19 European and Mediterranean Partnersfinding values of citizenship in science teaching

Periodical inquiries on young people and science

Science Must be Communicated…

…but is it possible to participate in the scientific debate?

Yes, of course!

…is science social or antisocial?

..why they don’t understand us

We are communicating…

Public understanding of science - meanings

Understandingof science

literacy

Science popularization

dissemination

Scienceperception

awareness

Participation -decision making

Riflexivity- pluridirectionalcommunication

Public understanding of science - project Cnr - British Council

discussion groups + conference and public debate + follow up

Objectives of science communication: Objectives of the inquiries:

Allow groups to have an activerole during the debate with experts

•Participation methods•Documentation on different scientific views•Foster group debate•Foster students proposals

Verify science perception

Verify the points of view of students on science values, their faith in Science, their risk perception…Not so much their knowledge

GMOs, “Electrosmog”, Space exploration, Climate change, Water crisis

www.irpps.cnr.it/com_sci/index.php

At the beginning … metaplan, analysis of scientific documentation, group discussion…

Then participation in public debate with experts…

…finally, FOLLOW UP

• students’ productions

• students’ proposals

• organisation of a meeting by students

•Open space technology for students and teachers