Bulletin of the American Physical Society
APS April Meeting 2021
Volume 66, Number 5
Saturday–Tuesday, April 17–20, 2021; Virtual; Time Zone: Central Daylight Time, USA
Session H06: Burton Award Session: Science and the PublicInvited Live Undergrad Friendly
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Sponsoring Units: FPS Chair: Juliette Mammel, University of Manitoba |
Sunday, April 18, 2021 10:45AM - 11:21AM Live |
H06.00001: Truth and the Public Good. What To Do When There Is No Bottom To Science Denial Invited Speaker: Adam Frank In this talk I will discuss the current state of relations between Physics (and Science in general) and the non-scientific public. After many years as both a practicing astrophysicist and a science writer/communicator, I have watched as the public perception of science has changed dramatically. Because of critical issues such as climate change, a remarkably large section of the public views science as tainted by "elite" interests rather than as a means of achieving some degree of truth about the physical world. The recent experience with the political polarization of science in the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these trends. In this talk I will review how this state of affairs came to be, using my own experiences in writing for venues like NPR, The New York Times and elsewhere. The current situation presents profound challenges to our community and to the US scientific effort as a whole. I will attempt to articulate some of the causes of this situation. In addition I will explore mechanisms through which we can ensure that science maintains its vital role ensuring the health, welfare and security of the US and global communities. [Preview Abstract] |
Sunday, April 18, 2021 11:21AM - 11:57AM Live |
H06.00002: Joseph A. Burton Forum Award (2021): The Exploration at 50: Perspectives on the Development of a Public Science Learning Laboratory Invited Speaker: Robert Semper h $-abstract-$\backslash $pardThe Exploratorium was founded in 1969 by physicist Dr Frank Oppenheimer who deeply believed that physics is a supremely humanistic endeavor. Born as a unique blend of a public education museum and an applied education research and development lab, the institution fostered the development of the field of public science centers worldwide. For the past 43 years, I have had the good fortune of calling this place my professional home, working with my colleagues on exhibits, programs, media, online activity, teacher development and museum creation throughout the world. Through this work, my journey as a physicist has gone from designing public science experiences, to exploring the learner centered features of inquiry-based science education to now trying to understand the social dimensions of some of the public's apparent lack of appreciation of science in today's culture. This talk will discuss the history of the Exploratorium's development, its future educational R{\&}D agenda and present some thoughts on what I have learned along the way.$\backslash $pard-/abstract-$\backslash $\tex [Preview Abstract] |
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