Science Communication in Theory and Practice

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

   PDF

2. Towards a Theoretical Basis for Science Communication

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. The Background to Effective Science Communication with the Public

      • Susan M. Stocklmayer

      Pages 3-22

   3. Science Communication with the Public: A Cross-Cultural Event

      • G. S. Aikenhead

      Pages 23-45

   4. More than Story-Telling-Reflecting on Popular Science

      • J. Turney

      Pages 47-62

   5. Topical Perspective and the Rhetorical Grounds of Practical Reason in Arguments about Science

      • L. J. Prelli

      Pages 63-81

   6. Postmodern Science: The Decline or Liberation of Science?

      • R. Eckersley

      Pages 83-94

3. The Experimental Approach to Science Communication

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 95-95

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   2. Conversations in a Landscape of Science and Magic: Thinking about Science Communication

      • D. Sless, R. Shrensky

      Pages 97-105

   3. Communicating Science Through Interactive Science Centres: A Research Perspective

      • L. J. Rennie

      Pages 107-121

   4. Towards a Unified Model of Education and Entertainment in Science and Technology Centres

      • J. K. Gilbert

      Pages 123-142

   5. Reaching the Public — Communicating the Vision

      • S. M. Stocklmayer

      Pages 143-148

4. Science Communication and the Media

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 149-149

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   2. Science Journalism: The Inside Story

      • P. Spinks

      Pages 151-168

   3. Presenting a Radio Science Program: Engaging the Public Interest

      • D. Cohen

      Pages 169-176

   4. Science Communication Via Television and the World Wide Web

      • I. Allen

      Pages 177-187

5. Science Communication in Practice: Case Histories

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 189-189

      PDF

   2. New Visions for Associations for the Advancement of Science: A Case Study

      • P. Briggs

      Pages 191-201

   3. Edinburgh International Science Festival

      • S. Gage

      Pages 203-217

   4. The Questacon Story

      • M. M. Gore

      Pages 219-235

Hereafter you will find a first: a comprehensive textbook on the communication of sciencein theory and practice! Is there a need for such a textbook? Obviously, yes! Whether you are a scientist, a science journalist, a science teacher, a science museum specialist, a scientific website designer, a science historian, a science entertainer, a member of a scientific society or club, a science tinkerer - there is always a chance that you will be enthusiastic about the job of communicating science, but uncertain about whether you do it well. This book exposes you to the practices of others by reviewing science communication case studies or by inviting you to plunge into the underlying rationale of theoretical approaches to science communication. These are different opportunities for comparing your experience with the practices or reflections of others. The conversation can even be established and furthered with the authors of some of these case studies or of the theories presented in this book by using their website and possibly their email addresses. This book, like a composite, gathers contributions from experts from most of the above mentioned fields. A lot of practices are discussed and they are among the very best practices according to common professional wisdom in the field. Those practices are also reflected upon in an attempt to be somewhat theoretical.

• Museum
• Nation
• communication
• education
• science

• Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

  Susan M. Stocklmayer, Michael M. Gore, Chris Bryant

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