Sharing Planetary Science Addressing Controversial Topics

Controversial Topics that come up during public engagement Not opinions Not topics where the scientific community is deeply divided Addressing these topics can also be problematic and some of the same solutions may apply Objective: discuss and if time permits, practice, some possible solutions

What is Science Many issues around addressing controversial topics during public engagement are related to misunderstandings about science. According to the National Science Board's 2002 study Science and Engineering Indicators, only one-third of Americans can adequately explain what it means to study something scientifically.

Nature of Science Activity Stand in two rows, facing a partner. For each statement below, decide whether a member of the general public would consider it true or false. Shift to a new partner for each question. When it comes to controversial topics such as which foods cause cancer, there’s no way for scientists to evaluate which scientific studies are the best. Everything’s up in the air!

Nature of Science Activity Stand in two rows, facing a partner. For each statement below, decide whether a member of the general public would consider it true or false. Shift to a new partner for each question. Science is a little like fashion; something that’s “in” one year can be “out” the next. Scientists regularly change their theories back and forth.

Nature of Science Activity Stand in two rows, facing a partner. For each statement below, decide whether a member of the general public would consider it true or false. Shift to a new partner for each question. Often, a scientific principle or theory just doesn’t make sense. In those cases, you have to accept it and move on, because not everything in science is supposed to make sense.

Nature of Science Activity Stand in two rows, facing a partner. For each statement below, decide whether a member of the general public would consider it true or false. Shift to a new partner for each question. Scientists may have trouble predicting and explaining the behavior of thunderstorms, because some things just don’t behave according to a consistent set of rules.

Nature of Science Activity Stand in two rows, facing a partner. For each statement below, decide whether a member of the general public would consider it true or false. Shift to a new partner for each question. In stuff like personal relationships or poetry, things can be ambiguous. But in science, the facts speak for themselves; science is never ambiguous.

Nature of Science Activity Stand in two rows, facing a partner. For each statement below, decide whether a member of the general public would consider it true or false. Shift to a new partner for each question. Once experiments have been done and a theory has been made to explain those experiments, the matter is pretty much settled. There’s little room for argument.

Nature of Science Activity Whole group discussion: What are some misconceptions about science that can make it difficult to address controversial topics?

Nature of Science Discussion How can we help clarify what science is and isn’t?

Solutions to Addressing Controversial Topics Your Mars topic was fairly straightforward, but a question provoked a passionate discussion about the Big Bang.   What are the best ways to address this type of issue: During a presentation? During a school or public or club event? During a conversation? Break into 3 groups, to discuss the above possibilities: What could you do? What should you avoid doing? Use large post-it paper to jot down notes.

Gallery Walk Examine each of the posters Add additional suggestions. Add any details that can help avoid pitfalls, if a suggestion might lead to further complications. We will type up all of these into a document that we will share.

Practicing Solutions Gather into groups of 3. Each person in the group picks a different scenario and describes how (s)he would handle it. Others in the group can provide additional suggestions. Scenario 1: During a science festival at a school, an adult says that since we’re still studying how the planets formed, scientists don’t really know any more than the Bible. Scenario 2: During a conversation in a crowded elevator, a 12 year old asks you about the Moon landings and says that her father (standing next to her) says that they were fake. Scenario 3: Halfway through your public lecture on Mars climate evolution for 100 people, someone loudly states that you’ve just proven that climate change on Earth is natural, not human-caused.

Thanks! We have a very short evaluation form; we would greatly appreciate your feedback! For any joining us virtually, please fill out the same form at ___________________. We will be facilitating a similar session on communicating with the news media during LPSC, and will hold sessions on additional topics every other month. Feel free to contact us with your thoughts and suggestions!