My set the inaugural Green Showoff last night was also a chunk of my talk at the Story today, so I thought I’d post it here. I did my PhD on kids science books. When I tell people this, they often get a sort of “aww bless” expression on their faces. Patronising f*ckers. Written by … Continue reading »
Filed under children …
Five Books
I was interviewed for the Browser’s “Five Books” feature last week, talking about children’s science literature. I did my PhD on kids’ science books. People sometimes think it was a strange, even trivial, thing to study – that children’s literature is just a bit of fun compared to the serious business of science, or that non-fiction … Continue reading »
Memories of kids’ environmental media
A small pile of dead trees. I’m giving a short talk later this month about children’s science media and memory. I thought I’d pick up an idea I’ve been playing with for a while, and discuss memories of childhood and environmental media, and I’d like your help. There’s loads of great material here. EDF Energy’s It’s … Continue reading »
Involving kids in research
I have a piece in the last week’s Research Fortnight on the ways young people might contribute to research, as opposed to simply being asked to sit back and listen to ideas being delivered to them; a challenge to think of under-18s as more than what I have previously described as ‘in waiting’ for adult interactions … Continue reading »
Fair’s fair
What questions would the public choose to invest scientific time and resources in, if given the chance to shape research policy? This is an old and largely unanswered question. Indeed, it is one that many members of the scientific community go out of their way to avoid testing. Ben Goldacre touched on it a couple … Continue reading »
Towards a multigenerational debate about science
Last week, I was supposed to be one of the speakers at the World Conference of Science Journalists, part of a session on reaching younger audiences. For various reasons (some including ambulances…) I didn’t actually get to give my talk. This post is a linked-up version of what I would have said. The images are … Continue reading »
Science and craft
Mendel’s pea, by some of last year’s science communication MSc students There seems to be more and more events happening which I can only describe as science-craft. I thought I’d write about it, and did a post for the Guardian Science blog. There are overlaps here with sci-art projects, just as there are overlaps (sometimes … Continue reading »
Considering science and children
I did my PhD on children’s science books. I happen to think children’s interactions with science – and the way adults decide to build such interactions for them – is a fascinating area of social analysis. I hope to spend much of the next few months (while I’m on research leave) going back to this … Continue reading »
Science Top Trumps
This is a picture of my small collection of science-themed Top Trumps. It’s one of those things you only remember you own when you are moving house (I have just packed up my possessions to store while I spend two months in North America*). Top Trumps, if you haven’t heard of it, is a card … Continue reading »
The google-ifcation of the science fair
I’m one of the judges for Google’s Global Science Fair, something I’m rather excited about. I’ve always been a bit jealous of American kids and their culture of science fairs. As I put in a post for the Guardian’s science blog last week, there has been a fair bit of talk over the death of … Continue reading »
