Delivering the message: a theoretical study on designing science content for nature-based experiences

Abstract

The urgent state of our global environment calls for collective action, which depends in large part on effective science communication for better understanding and awareness. Activities and institutions that provide opportunities to learn about nature all ultimately rely on scientific findings about nature. Although science produces the knowledge and information about nature, for the content to be accessible and meaningful to the general public, it needs to be processed by what I call science content design. This process is similar to the concepts of interpretation in tourism, or aesthetic understanding in alternative science education. This study is a theoretical exploration on the definition and nature of science content design, what constitutes its process, and how the content can be designed. Focusing on the fields of macro-biology, I also discuss the types of biological content generally used in nature-based experiences, and examine model cases of biological content design.

BioBlitzes help science communicators engage local communities in environmental research

“…Simply familiarising the public with species does not necessarily foster scientific understanding of the environment [Kim, 2014]. This makes the BioBlitz model all the more crucial which can offer participants knowledge in context.…”

“…This context can assist in allowing participants to process their learnings because it is presented in a variety of ways through a range of media. This mixture is more likely to result in the goal of fostering scientific understanding in biological content [Kim, 2014]. Knowledge in context highlights the gradual move from a goal of 'public understanding of science' to 'public engagement with science'.…”

Comunicación de las ciencias mediada por narrativas : revisión de la interrelación ciencias, comunicación y sociedad

“…El paso a seguir, es propuesto por Kim (2014). El autor lo denomina diseño del contenido científico.…”

“…Uno de los puntos sobre los que se hace más énfasis del trabajo de Kim (2014) es la sinergia que se logra al combinar elementos intelectuales y emocionales. La explicación del éxito de esta relación se puede explicar partiendo de la teoría del biólogo Wilson (1984, citado por Kim, 2014) sobre la biofilia, una tendencia innata de los individuos a concentrarse en elementos vivos o procesos similares a los de la vida misma. La biofilia puede entenderse como una atracción qué sienten los vivos hacia lo que está vivo.…”