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Date: January 22, 2010

NSF-funded project bridges gap between scientists, public

No offense to the scientists in our community, but descriptions of their research often sound like a foreign language to the rest of us.

Case in point: UC Davis researcher's Nicholas J. Ruppel's work focuses on "the role of the three thylakoid processing peptidase (TPP) homologues in Arabidopsis."

Translation: He studies three related proteins in Arabidopsis, a plant that is a favorite of biology researchers.

Ruppel and other scientists attended a recent Explorit workshop designed to help them communicate more effectively with non-scientists.

It was part of "Portal to the Public," a collaborative science initiative supported by the National Science Foundation. Explorit is one of eight museums nationwide participating in the yearlong project. Its goal: to promote the public's understanding of and appreciation for current scientific research and its application.

Ruppel will share his work (using techniques he learned in the workshop!) at Explorit on Saturday, Jan. 30. Two other workshop participants and UCD scientists, Barbara Swedo and Mallorie Taylor, will share their work as well in a hands-on "Meet the Scientist" event from 1-4 p.m. at the center's main site, 2801 Second St. The program is free after paid admission to the museum.
Swedo's research focuses on soil and erosion, Taylor focuses on plant root structures.

Another "Meet the Scientist" session is scheduled with UCD's Ilke Arslan on from 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27 at Explorit's main site. Arslan works in chemical engineering using electron microscopes.

Keith Banks is an Explorit educator and leader of the Portal project at the museum. He's excited to help bring science news to the public:

"Concepts and language that are easily understood by science researchers are often indecipherable to those lacking a scientific background. As a result of this conflict, exciting information and discovery can go underappreciated. We want to change that."

Explorit will host several more one-day workshops in which participants can hone or develop the educational and informational tools unique to teaching in a hands-on and face-to-face environment, Banks said. Then in the follow-up "Meet the Scientist" program, they can interact with the public directly at the museum.

"By employing tested activities, participants will move beyond their specific scientific fields and instead focus on broader concepts, such as learning styles and questioning strategies, which will provide scientists new tools for engaging with the public," Banks said. "By concentrating on shared experiences and passions, the public will be able to better engage and relate to the scientists and their research."

Megan Contreras, Explorit's program director, is thankful that Explorit was tapped to be part of Portal to the Public.
"It dovetails nicely with our mission, and it is a way for Explorit to give something to the scientists and the community. We're looking forward to the continuation of this innovative program and having more researchers join in."
Any scientist who would like to attend a free Explorit "Portal" workshop can learn more from her at meganc@explorit.org.
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Explorit Science Center is open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, 2 - 5 p.m. on Wednesdays - Fridays, and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 2801 2nd St. in Davis. Admission is $4 general, free for ages 3 and under, as well as members and teachers with ID. For more information: http://www.explorit.org or (530) 756-0191.