Public Science

"The public has the right to know, and the duty to ask; scientists have the responsibility of telling." -- Anne Sayre in Rosalind Franklin and DNA.

Science plays a significant role in solving society’s problems, in shaping tomorrow's solutions, in adapting to changing times and in creating a new future.  Scientific methods, tools and ways of thinking are critical in meeting today’s challenges and  in fulfilling tomorrow's promises. So it  is very important that scientists engage the lay public in humble dialogue to enhance all our lives.  

Scientists must arrive at the point where as much value is placed on communication with the public as is currently placed on publishing specialized articles with dense jargon, read and understood by only a few specialists. 

BEST is committed to this form of public science and to training a new generation of 'public' scientists that are comfortable communicating with both technical and 'popular' audiences.  This requires familiarity and facility with all communication media, new and old, from posters to papers, from blogs to videos, offline and online.

Public Science Initiatives

A hallmark of Professor Murray's chemistry classes, high school and college, is providing students opportunities to communicate scientific ideas using both technical and popular writing styles.  Students are also given an opportunity to publish their work in newsprint and online media.  Specific media projects include: ChemiVerses, LabTales and ChemSemBlog.   The Reports & Links section provides information about issues and organizations relevant to early research participation.

In addition, partnership with the Benton Spirit Community Newspaper, has extended to early participation opportunities for Benton Harbor youth to get involved with media technology and journalism projects like Generation NX, Future Leaders Journaling Our Past, Aspiring Young Journalists and Taking it to the Streets.