Worldwide decades of science popularisation have not worked effectively. Citizens’ knowledge of science has not massively increased, nor is the education system producing enough STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics) graduates with the right skills.

Malta faces challenges with science education. While education is a national priority, with reportedly around €107,000 spent on each student between six and 15 years of age, their science, maths and reading skills are still lacking according to a recent PISA report.

Science communication is a field prevalent throughout the world meant to figure out how to engage society creatively with science. Science communicators will not solve the above problems on their own. They fall under informal education. Rigorous pedagogy, time for STEM education, and novel approaches will also be key.

Science communication locally is still at an early stage with many still using the antiquated term of science popularisation – a blast from the 1970s. New concepts like public engagement, dialogue and the EU-fronted responsible research and innovation seek to engage citizens in conversation about STEM subjects, involve them at every part of the research process, and make our institutions more relevant to the society they are part of – there is also some good news.

Malta has a state-of-the-art interactive science centre called Esplora in Kalkara. Additionally, it has a large scale festival (Science in the City) and regular events throughout the year targeted towards different people: Malta and Gozo Cafe Scientifique (engaging science talks), CineXjenza (science and film), Kids Dig Science (science activities and puppetry) and other initiatives that go under the radar including STEAM (STEM + Arts) in summer schools – but more is needed, and not just more activities. Key is the need for a working group composed of all involved to coordinate these efforts as part of a strategy for all of Malta and Gozo.

Science communicators are meant to help researchers and students to meet the public. People participating in science communication activities should be properly credited and rewarded to encourage them to continue devoting time to engaging citizens. The concept of responsible research and innovation should be integrated into all higher education institutions in Malta. To help them carry out these efforts a small public engagement fund would help enable them to involve society in what they do.

The activities also need to meet certain goals: improve science awareness and develop informed opinions in citizens, increase student uptake of STEM careers for high-level jobs, stimulate Malta’s socio-economic well-being and enhance the transferable skills of current researchers. Which are they meeting? And, to what extent? Only rigorous evaluation of these activities will achieve that. If Malta achieves all of the above, it would be truly transformed.

For more, see the December 2016 issue of the Malta Journal of Health Sciences or a recent policy paper by the Malta Chamber of Scientists http://bit.ly/SCIPOLICYMALTA .

Did you know!

• Scientific journal papers have an average of 0.6 readers per publication.

• The Knights of St John on the Maltese Islands were well prepared for the Ottoman invasion of 1565.

• 41 new species are discovered every single day.

• Over €100,000 per Maltese student is spent on their education. However, international science and math education scores and reading are still low.

For more trivia see: www.um.edu.mt/think

Sound bites

• In a study published in Nature, researchers describe that rock fragments produced unintentionally today by capuchin monkeys in Serra da Capivara National Park in Brazil resemble tools made deliberately 2.6 million years ago by human ancestors.

www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-12/fda-sfc120916.php

• Mayo Clinic researchers analysing more than a decade of research found people on low-carb diets lost between 2.5 to 8.8 more pounds than people on low-fat diets. The research review also found low-carb diets to be safe in the short-term; i.e., up to six months – despite concerns that they often lead to greater consumption of meats, which has been linked to increased cancer risk.

www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-12/aoa-lds121316.php

• At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a survey of 372 scientists engaged in biological or physical science research shows that scientists are increasingly using social media to communicate with citizens.

www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-12/uow-fpo121316.php

• For more soundbites, listen to Radio Mocha on Radju Malta 2 every Monday at 1pm, Friday at 6pm

www.facebook.com/RadioMochaMalta/

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