Social Networking Resources and Science Outreach
[Revised Posting, 16 Nov.: COPUS Facebook group launches at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5277539203]
Why should COPUS participants consider using Facebook and other social utilities? In quickly surveying my colleagues, I’ve found that a number of folks are not ready to jump on the bandwagon of social networking resources. Some are content to leave high school acquaintances in the past and are less than eager to place their most recent mug shot for all to see. But 30 million active users are signed on to Facebook; half of these users are college students, making Facebook a ready-made community of young people that may be reached in a place that they are already frequenting. These individuals are reached through Facebook advertising and through Facebook groups established by a range of non-profit organizations. As scientists who are seeking opportunities to engage the public in understanding science, maybe we should reconsider our qualms about revisiting days past and consider innovative ways to utilize these venues for public outreach.
Has your organization had any experience with using social networking to promote or share science resources? If so, what have you learned?
For example, Student Pugwash USA, is a DC-based nonprofit with a mission to prepare science, technology, and policy students to make social responsibility a guiding focus of their academic and professional endeavors.
SPUSA encourages young people to:
- Examine the societal impacts of science and technology
- Create open and objective forums for debate
- Foster the exchange of ideas among diverse communities
- Explore solutions to current dilemmas in science and technology
- Cultivate the analytical skills needed to address future challenges
Notable among SPUSA’s current activities is their development of a web-based 2008 Science & Tech Policy Guide for the upcoming U.S. presidential elections to enable students to make informed choices and express their views on critical science policy issues. Leading up to the publication of the guide, Student Pugwash USA is conducting a survey of 18-25 year olds on Facebook to gather data on attitudes toward science policy issues.