Science for all

How much do ordinary citizens know about science? Most of us learn science as a subject in grades leading up to the O/Ls and some students opt to do science subjects in the A/Ls. Apart from that, there seems to be very little interest or knowledge about science, and even about technology among the ordinary masses.

Ironically, we are surrounded by science and technology all the time, though we do not think about it. Most people carry a mobile phone which is a result of scientific research. From the watch that we use to tell the time to the pen that we use to write a letter, almost everything we use is a result of progress in science and technology. We take medicine when we are ill, which is again a result of breakthroughs in science. A few decades ago, some of those diseases were invariably fatal. Even the very computer that I type this on is a result of a blend of science and technology, not to mention innovation.

Most people have a notion that science is for nerds who spend almost the entire day in a lab wearing a white coat. But the real science is far more exciting - it is out in the field that most scientific discoveries are made. From the discovery of a new animal species to the recovery of an ancient artefact, science is at work out in the open. And we can all be a part of it. Just remember that some of the greatest discoveries in the world were made by non-scientists - even Charles Darwin was an amateur.

If you watch foreign news channels, almost all of them have a ‘corner’ where they feature video reports sent by ordinary citizens, mostly captured by smart-phones and tablets. CNN calls it iReport and various other news outlets have similar names.

These “citizen journalists” render an immense service by highlighting various current issues. In the same manner, these smart-phones and tablets can be used for scientific purposes by almost anyone who can handle a reasonably advanced gadget.

There is even a new term for the involvement of ordinary citizens in science projects. As a recent report revealed “it seems our modern addiction to smart-phones, tablets and gaming is not just providing us with new means of communicating and killing time. It is also providing scientists with innovative ways in which to engage the wider public in science and expand their resources for research in a new wave of citizen science, or citizen cyberscience”.

Appropriate

The last term is even more appropriate, since most people are always connected to the Internet and its vast treasure trove of information. You don’t even need a conventional PC to get going literally - a smart-phone or tablet will do just fine.

One of the most interesting experiments in this regard is a Facebook game called Fraxinus where ordinary folk can get an idea of genetic sequencing. The users have to match up coloured blobs (nucleotides) to score points. There are many who analyse online images of galaxies with Galaxy Zoo which has helped professional astronomers to make numerous discoveries such as the first planet with four stars not long after the discovery of the first planet which has two suns.

There are plenty of societies such as wildlife and archaeology societies which can open up their activities to volunteers who strictly have no scientific training instead of confining the membership to professionals. Whether it is counting butterflies or elephants or tracking weather changes, giving citizens an opportunity to participate in scientific research gives them a sense of pride and achievement while highlighting the need to protect our limited resources. Citizen Cyberscience also has an educational value and a possible role in raising awareness of key environmental and science issues among the general population. In fact, there have been several instances where citizen scientists, armed with the correct information, have successfully lobbied private companies and governments against environmentally harmful projects. One recent example comes from South America, where the Achuar community learned how to use GPS equipment and HD cameras to document the damaging of effects oil drilling in their territory and used this evidence to help drive the oil company away.

These projects have now become easier thanks to the advent of smart-phones, since anyone can snap a picture of a butterfly or an elephant they see. It also obviates the need to have a large number of paid professionals for such activities. These are very important benefits.

Obscure

Here in Sri Lanka, the term citizen scientist is even more obscure than “citizen journalist”. However, there is already a base of people who have a good knowledge of science - school students who study science.

These millions of schoolchildren can take the lead in taking the message home literally. One good example is the anti-dengue campaign where the children informed their parents of the ways and means of preventing the deadly disease. Schoolchildren have also taken the message of proper nutrition to their homes.

Schools should have more hands-on science projects that give students an idea of real world implications of science and technology. Schoolchildren are also very techno-savvy and can easily use the latest gadgets to gather information with a little help and training.

Hopefully, their knowledge of science will empower them to engage in matters connected to science even after leaving school. After all, they are often referred to as the 'citizens of tomorrow'. The media, especially television, can also play a vital role in popularising science and scientific concepts among the general population including students. There is already a good reception for the very few science-oriented newspapers in the country and more television programs will help nudge citizens towards science in general and participatory science programs.

It is important to spread the message that science is not an esoteric, unapproachable subject and that we live with science (and technology) every day. Science can and should be for the benefit of all citizens of the world.