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Communicate Your Science: Outreach in the 21st Century
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Cool Science: Children educating adults through their art on buses (Invited)
Tuesday 8th @ 1020-1030, Multifunction Hall
Robert F. Chen* , School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston
Jill Lohmeier, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Presenter Email: bob.chen@umb.edu |
| Cool Science is an outreach program that integrates science and art to promote children's learning about climate change, the products of which are then displayed on buses to promote adult learning. Cool Science revolves around a children's art contest that has been running for six-years and consistently yields positive learning outcomes in informal learning environments for both adults and children. Additionally, it was identified by the White House in 2015 as an exemplary community climate literacy program. To enter the contest, K-12 students create posters (18 x 56 cm) in response to contest organizer questions such as: What evidence can you find for climate change in your community? How are animals in Xiamen being affected by climate change? What inventions are people making to reduce the impacts of climate change? Children are engaged by these questions and possibly supported by their teachers or parents to conduct research to address these questions. 500-1000 student entrees are submitted each year. Artwork is judged for its scientific accuracy, its originality, the clear communication of her/his message, and its overall artistic composition. An annual Cool Science Award Ceremony for winners, runners up, and honorable mentions in elementary, middle school, and high school categories celebrates student learning and artistic expression with their friends, family, teachers, and scientists. The winning artwork is displayed for 1-6 months on the inside and outside (76 x 224 cm) of local buses. Adults (5000/day) view the posters on buses making approximately 1,000,000 impressions per year. Cool Science acts to increase climate literacy in children as well as the public, and as such promotes intergenerational learning. Using art in conjunction with science learning appears to be effective at engaging not just traditionally high achieving science students, but also those interested in the creative arts. Hearing winners' stories about how they created their artwork and what this contest meant to them supports the idea that Cool Science attracts a wide diversity of students. Parents discuss climate change with their children. Multiple press releases announcing the winners further promotes the awareness of climate change throughout school districts and their communities. Pre- and post-surveys of bus riders suggest that public viewers of winning artwork increase their awareness that climate change is happening, that climate change is human caused, and that they want to learn more. Using student artwork appears to be an effective way to communicate climate change issues to public audiences. |
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