Science literacy is an important part of a well-functioning science culture. Community outreach helps to connect science and scientists with a wider public audience and nurtures science culture. Connecting, however, can be uniquely challenging for both scientists and the public; even when science literacy is high. Popular science publications, primetime television, and internet sources work directly or indirectly to communicate science concepts, discoveries and news to a broad public audience with equally broad interests. While useful in generating consumable science content, these mediums may sanitize the experience, limit the ability to engage, and fail to surmount underlying science literacy development needs – particularly in adults. Performing artists have a long history of presentation to audiences with diverse backgrounds. While the sciences and humanities are often considered disparate or culturally segregated subjects, many scientists are also performing artists (storytellers, comedians, musicians, dancers, thespians), presenting either professionally or in an amateur capacity. Such art practices already serve to communicate human experiences for artists and arts consumers, however, there is an opportunity to utilize these forms to 1) humanize and communicate contemporary science topics and concerns, and 2) increase interaction among science practitioners and the wider public.
Over the course of 100+ live performances, as a songwriter and a scientist, I have used music as a medium to communicate science and engage communities. By combining performance principles, artistic practice, and science language in an informal (non-institutional) setting, my work has facilitated discussions around complex scientific topics and personal science histories, while fostering meaningful interactions between scientists and the wider community. In doing so, science, particularly geoscience-based concepts have become more accessible, engaging, participatory, and transferrable in adult audiences that I interact with. In this presentation I will share personal anecdotes, examples, and relay practical insights on effective strategies that help to entertain, passively educate, and fully engage broad audiences through science songwriting and live arts performance.
