Session P02: Engaging the Public in Science

Connecting the Universe to the Community

How do we keep our students interested and receptive in learning the concepts that we are teaching in physics? How do we get racial minority communities engaged in STEM fields? The lack of positive exposure to science in racial minority communities at an early age impacts their perception of STEM fields as boring and nerdy. This could impact how a STEM education may not be presented in a way to make its application to them apparent. The result being a paucity of students from communities, racial/ethnic groups that have been minoritized. This presentation will present ways in which to bring astronomy to underserved communities, particularly children, so they can see how science and math can be fun if taught properly. St. Albans Under the Stars (SUTS), a community outreach program will be described and how to promote fun science projects in underserved communities, and assist in college readiness initiatives through a series of workshops designed to actively engage the student while "learning at play". A twelve-point checklist will help any community organizer develop and use data to maximize the impact on the community and possibly the world. You will learn how monitoring and evaluation can be accomplished through advocacy, communications and culture, periodic surveys, a database, etc. To engage your students, you have to show passion for the discipline by making teaching and learning a joy for both you and your students. My motto has always been; play, create, and build.   

Particles in Collision as Art with Music

The communication of science through visual art and music is a powerful way of inspiring and educating the public. Our eyes and ears are part of our brain, and together they stimulate both the intellect and the emotions. The non-profit organization KV 265 has combined symphony orchestra performances with dynamic and beautiful visuals of planets, galaxies in collision, aurorae and waterfalls, together with popular talks about the science. Concerts around the world have reached 480,000 people in audiences, and visits to schools inspire kids to learn more about the science. I will show how particle physics, such as neutrino events, proton interactions in colliders and cosmic ray showers can be made dynamic and artistic, and synchronized with music. The public can also be invited to enjoy scanning event pictures as in Galaxy Zoo, to learn about particles and search for unusual collisions.