Public understanding of science is one of the areas used to determine public attitude to science, the reason being that there is a relationship between understanding of science and the attitude to it, “Understanding is a broad term, ranging from an elementary idea of what something means (or how it works) to a deep professional understanding of a concept or construct in the full context of its field. The depth of understanding required for a citizen to be able to follow and participate in public policy discussions of a scientific or technological issue has been the subject of extensive debate in recent years.” (Miller, 2004). Hence knowledge of scientific activities is vital, because it is required for personal decision-making process, government
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Public engagement with science is interrelated with science communications, it is a means of disseminating knowledge and increasing public involvement with science. (Bubela et al, 2009). The engagement involves a two-way dialogue, participation and consensus on science research in a specific location between scientists and the public. There have been innovations and developments in the last decade, like the rapid development digital technology where meetings can be held with thousands of participants and this trend is still growing. (Edward Andersson 2014 ). Several organisations and support structures, set up by governments across Europe and US to aid public engagement in science, example of such are, the science musuems and centers, science cafes, science festivals. Also many funding schemes are made available now for projects which aim is to aid public engagement with science. (www.wellcome.ac.uk/funding/publicengagement). On the side of the public, there is an increase in their willingness to be a part of these engagement activities, mostly because the settings are in a more relaxed atmosphere, and it shows that they are not only desiring science knowledge but are a vital part of the research process. During organized participatory events, active involvement is seen, questions are asked to clear unsure areas, monologues becomes organized conversations and inputs are made by members of the public, their ideas are put into considering during the research. The benefit of such participatory activities in recent times has lead to the formation of ‘science communities’ in the midst of the public, who then go on to become science educators in their different spheres of contact, and thereby creating a less skeptic public and changing the attitude of the public to science and scientists. The growing means of communication has helped in achieving this in the last
Public engagement with science is interrelated with science communications, it is a means of disseminating knowledge and increasing public involvement with science. (Bubela et al, 2009). The engagement involves a two-way dialogue, participation and consensus on science research in a specific location between scientists and the public. There have been innovations and developments in the last decade, like the rapid development digital technology where meetings can be held with thousands of participants and this trend is still growing. (Edward Andersson 2014 ). Several organisations and support structures, set up by governments across Europe and US to aid public engagement in science, example of such are, the science musuems and centers, science cafes, science festivals. Also many funding schemes are made available now for projects which aim is to aid public engagement with science. (www.wellcome.ac.uk/funding/publicengagement). On the side of the public, there is an increase in their willingness to be a part of these engagement activities, mostly because the settings are in a more relaxed atmosphere, and it shows that they are not only desiring science knowledge but are a vital part of the research process. During organized participatory events, active involvement is seen, questions are asked to clear unsure areas, monologues becomes organized conversations and inputs are made by members of the public, their ideas are put into considering during the research. The benefit of such participatory activities in recent times has lead to the formation of ‘science communities’ in the midst of the public, who then go on to become science educators in their different spheres of contact, and thereby creating a less skeptic public and changing the attitude of the public to science and scientists. The growing means of communication has helped in achieving this in the last