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Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
What do people learn about space from the media?
Bruce V. Lewenstein
Professor of Science Communication
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
North America, Western Hemisphere, Earth, solar system, solar neighborhood, Orion arm, Milky Way Galaxy, local group of galaxies, Virgo Supercluster, Universe
Presented to Northeast Regional Space Grant meeting, 8 September 2007
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
What have YOU noticed?
What was the most recent media presence of space that you noticed?– Television– Radio– Magazine– Newspaper
» On paper or online?
– Website– Movie
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
What did you learn?
Facts? Awe? Excitement? Process of science? A story?
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
Science literacy generally
Frankly, we don't know very much– Especially about public knowledge of
astronomy, space science, or related topics
NS
B, S
cien
ce &
Eng
inee
ring
Ind
icat
ors
2006
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
What do you want people to learn?
Facts? Awe? Excitement? Process of science? A story?
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
What is "public understanding"?
…of science? …of research? …of space? …of astronomy?
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
Four models of "PubSci"
Deficit model Contextual model Lay knowledge model Public engagement model
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
Deficit model
Why exactly do people need to know? Personal, civic, cultural science literacy
Simple information, simple ideas
Tracks left by MER Opportunity along rim of Victoria Crater
Image by HiRISE camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, 26 June 2007
Image credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizonahttp://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/opportunity/20070628a.html , retrieved on 5 Sept 2007
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
Contextual
Policy decisions Climate change Career options
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
Lay expertise
…of a sort Amateur astronomers
– 63% engage in outreach (ASP/ILI, 2002) Citizen science
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
Public engagement
Policy decisions– Hubble repair/replacement– Human space flight
» Shuttle use, replacement
» Space station
– Earth-observing missions But will decisions go the way you – as
experts – want them to?
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
Public participation
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
Public participation
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
Conclusion…almost
Lots of space news out there But not much as percentage of whole Mostly a limited audience
– Knowledge, especially deep knowledge, not widespread
What do you want people to know?
Copyright © 2007 by Bruce V.
Lewenstein
Conclusion…finally
Be careful what you ask for
