Building Capacity for Public Understanding of Science: A Report on the Role of Science Centers

Abstract

There is a growing need in the world for the proficiency in core competencies for public understanding of science. However, decision makers and public often lack access to information, knowledge and skills to engage in informed decision making regarding socio-scientific issues; besides, settings typically lack infrastructure to support such activities. This paper aims to explore and describe the critical factors and dynamics in science centers’ strategic initiative to develop capacity for the improvement of public understanding of science and its core competencies regarding national and international standard practices.

Keywords

• Science centers, public understanding of science, socio-scientific issues

Toplumun Bilim Anlayışının Geliştirilmesi: Bilim Merkezlerinin Rolü Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme

Abstract

Bilim eğitiminin en önemli amaçlarından biri olan toplumun bilim algısının geliştirilmesi ya da toplumda bilimin daha iyi anlaşılabilmesi için gerekli bilgi ve becerinin artırılması dünyanın birçok ülkesinde tartışılan bir konu haline gelmiştir. Ancak alanda yapılan çalışmalar, karar mercilerinin ve toplumun bu konuda bilgi ve becerilere ulaşmada zorluklar yaşadığını ortaya koymaktadır. Özellikle toplu mu ilgilendiren bilimsel konularda (sosyo-bilimsel konular), toplumu oluşturan bireylerin karar verme becerisinin ve bu beceriyi geliştirecek eğitim altyapısının eksikliği ön plana çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, bilim merkezlerinin toplumda bilim anlayışını geliştirmede ki mevcut kapasiteleri, sahip oldukları stratejik önem ile ulusal / uluslararası arenada bilim merkezlerinin bu yöndeki tarihsel süreci ve gelişimi araştırılarak örnek bir sosyo-bilimsel konu üzerinden tartışılmıştır.

Keywords

• Bilim merkezi, toplumda bilim, sosyo-bilimsel konular

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