Abstract
Science outreach improves science literacy among the public and communication skills of scientists. However, despite the array of well-documented benefits, robust outreach efforts are often absent from communities which stand to benefit the most from these initiatives. Here, we introduce “Science Fiesta,” a graduate student-led outreach initiative which utilizes cultural traditions of South Texas as a vehicle to establish self-sustaining interactions between scientists and their local community. Event assessment surveys indicated that attendees found the event both fun and educational. At the same time, graduate students who organized the event and participated in outreach reported that they strengthened a variety of professional skills important for their future careers. More importantly, the event had a substantial positive impact on enthusiasm for science outreach. Both public attendees and graduate students reported that they were likely to participate in future science outreach events, even though a majority of both groups had not been previously involved in outreach efforts. Science Fiesta is a model for a highly effective graduate student-led outreach initiative that is capable of 1) improving public scientific literacy, 2) reinforcing graduate education and career development and 3) creating a culture of science engagement within local communities.
Highlights
There is a growing appreciation for the importance of community outreach among scientists[1]
Marketing Science Fiesta was promoted through local magazines, as well as via public service announcements on Texas Public Radio, flyers posted in local businesses, and a social media campaign managed by graduate students
The goal of the panel was to enrich the appeal of Science Fiesta to the public and scientists alike
Summary
There is a growing appreciation for the importance of community outreach among scientists[1]. A number of public outreach models have emerged, each with a share of supporters and critics from within the scientific community[2,3]. We used “outreach” to broadly describe all efforts performed by scientists to communicate scientific information to non-expert audiences. The traditional view of outreach as a “duty,” which solely benefits public literacy, has been challenged by the view that scientists, and graduate students, benefit from interactions with diverse public audiences[4]. Science Fiesta was conceived as a platform for scientists to inform, engage, and excite the public, while providing graduate students a unique opportunity for practical training in communication, leadership and project management
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