A Scientist’s Post(card)
Recent studies show that the public’s trust in science is currently quite low (Tyson & Kennedy 2024), and we believe that one contributing factor to this is that scientists are viewed as extremely competent but not very warm (Fiske & Dupree 2014). This results in scientists not being very approachable, and makes it difficult for the public to connect with them. In order to change this, we will introduce community members to scientists that have a tie to their own community. On top of that, these scientists will be from historically excluded groups, which will help break stereotypes about what a scientist looks like and provide diverse role models for communities. Overall, by connecting the public with the natural world around them and the scientific community, we will increase the public's trust in science and desire to protect our oceans.
Using our postcards and bookmarks, we will educate people about fascinating marine animals and show them how they can help the featured animal or its ecosystem. To assess if our project does connect members of the general public to scientists and nature, and to see if they result in people taking action, we will include a QR code with a survey with questions that will assess their new found knowledge on the featured animal, ask if they took any action (from sending the letter to a friend or going to the tidepools to look for the featured animal), and provide resources to more information about the featured animal.
Our project will teach people about a cool marine animal that is actively being studied by a scientist in their community, and one that they may see next time they are out by the ocean! Through this, our audience will gain insight into the science that is happening in their community and learn how to help a marine animal that they have likely heard about, but now know a little bit more about.
Additionally, this project will teach people that fundamental research exists and is a legitimate career path for those interested in science. It is not uncommon for adults to think that if you want to be a scientist then you need to pursue a career as a doctor or a pharmacist, but by introducing them to a scientist who studies the incredible capabilities of marine animals will make them more open minded to the different types of science. Ultimately, this will make them more likely to support a kid who says that they want to be a marine scientist.
Lastly, people will learn that scientists are not just people you see on TV in lab coats, but rather that they are members of their own community who they may see out and about. By creating a connection between the scientist and the community that the person engaging with our media is from, we are humanizing scientists. In doing this, we hope that people will learn to trust scientists, and in turn the science itself.
