When scientists effectively communicate their research findings to a broader non-scientist audience, it helps build support for science, promotes understanding of its wider relevance to society, impedes the dissemination of misinformation and encourages more informed evidence-based decision-making at all levels, from governments to communities to individuals.
Emily Standen, Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, specializes in evolutionary and comparative biomechanics. She is fascinated by science communication and outreach and has partnered with Let's Talk Science at the University of Ottawa to promote science to various community groups. Let’s Talk Science is a Canadian charitable organization focused on education and skills development for children and youth in Canada through science, technology, engineering and math-based programs. The University of Ottawa is one of the largest of the 52 sites across Canada.
This partnership is facilitating the creation and dissemination of a series of science videos created by a diverse group of scientists combined with comprehensive reading lists, discussion questions and activities for learning. These science videos are created for different age groups - from junior kindergarten to high school - as well as for the general public. This provides students the opportunity to learn about science communication and builds a resource of fun science facts and concepts that anyone can access. Prof. Standen is already working on a pilot video production that showcases video creators and their stories describing what brought them to science. The goal is to have a diverse group of content creators serve as science role models for anyone watching. Prof. Standen is particularly interested in reaching underrepresented groups to help kids realize the paths they can take for a career in science.
Although this project is in its infancy, the library of science content is constantly being developed and expanded, thanks to volunteers and coop students. Prof. Standen’s Biomechanics class includes assignments for developing science outreach content. This promotes collaboration among students and positions them to engage in science communication early in their career.
Prof. Standen hopes to link the video and educational content to established education and science awareness platforms in the near future. She appreciates all the resources available through Let's Talk Science at uOttawa, which are helping her produce high quality science content and has found working with students to produce these videos to be a very rewarding experience.
