The importance and challenges of using radio to engage people in science – experiences from Brazil
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The importance and challenges of using radio to engage people in science – experiences from Brazil Luisa Massarani SciDev.Net/Latin America and the Caribbean and Unit for Studies on Science Communication – Museum of Life/COC/Fiocruz, Brazil [email protected]
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Transcript of The importance and challenges of using radio to engage people in science – experiences from Brazil
The importance and challenges of using radio to engage people in
science – experiences from Brazil
Luisa MassaraniSciDev.Net/Latin America and the Caribbean and
Unit for Studies on Science Communication – Museum of Life/COC/Fiocruz, Brazil
Objectives of this presentation
• Quick context of science and radio in Brazil
• Project 1: Engaging 10 years old children in science and health issues through a radio program
• Project 2: Radio science program Electron
• High penetration in the whole Brazil, including countryside and among illiterate sectors of the society
• Every small town has a local radio
• In the present moment there are cheap tools for producing and broadcasting radio programs (for example, softwares free and easy to manipulate)
• However… Few science radio programs (last survey we found about 30)
Q5. Vou ler algumas frases para você. Para cada uma delas responda, por favor, com as seguintes opções:
Brazilian survey: Mass media as science information
Base: total da amostra 2004 entrevistas
70
70
10
10
10
70
10
10
10
70
10
10
10
70
10
10
10
70
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
70
10
10
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%3 - Sim com freqüência2 - Sim, de vez em quando1 - Não, nunca Não respondeu
See programs in TV on sciencee tecnologia
Listen to radio programs on science
Read about science in newspapers
Read about science in magazines
Read about science in Internet
Talk with friend on science issues
Sign manifesfs or participate of protest in science issues
15
5
12
12
9
11
2
47
21
32
29
14
29
7
38
74
56
59
77
60
91
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Estimulada, Resposta única
1,77
1,31
1,57
1,54
1,32
1,50
1,10
Project 1: Engaging 10 years old children in science and health issues through a radio program
• Carried out in two schools in Rio de Janeiro, by a group of science communicators and radio experts• Support from the local agency Faperj for buying equipments for a low income school and for fellowship for two teachers be engaged in the project• Use of free software• The children (and teachers) are trained in radio and in science communication aiming to allow them to be the main actors of consolidating the program: they will decide the format, the issues to be covered, etc.• The program is broadcast in the school break (and posted in Museum of Life website)• Developed a manual for other schools/teachers (free pdf)
Project 2: Radio science program Electron• An informal chat on science, technology and health• Radio MEC (and through Internet)• 8 minutes, weekly• Integration of science and culture: science as inspiration and creativity source in cultural expressions – (very good) Brazilian music, carnival, poetry, “cordéis” (popular poems), legends, etc. • One theme per issue: HIV/AIDS, genetics, stem cells, biofuels, climate change, whales, nanotech, etc• The scientist - valorization but with no mystification: scientists interviewed; programs on Brazilian scientists (history of Brazilian science): Oswaldo Cruz (vaccine riot; Oswaldo Cruz Foundation), Carlos Chagas (Chagas disease)• Valorization of the Brazilian science (keeping the international perspective) (biofuel)• Social aspects, ethics, risks, uncertainties
Example 1
HIV/AIDS
• Topics: data of the people with HIV/AIDS in Brazil and reasons for distribution of the virus in the country; research in HIV/AIDS; difficulties for science developing a vaccine; how science is now contributing for fighting against the HIV/AIDS; Brazilian research• Interview: Luiz Castelo Branco • Musics: “Ratos de porão” (heavy metal); “Saúde (health)”, Rita Lee and Roberto Carvalho • Cordel Aids caught science with no defense, wide eyed with infinite surprise, without understanding what happened in the world.
Example 2
Genetics
• Topics: what’s DNA is; genetic determinism; genetic mapping; ethics and use of genetic information on health insurance and jobs; research in genetics and tropical diseases• Interview: Milton Moraes• Musics: Casseta; Wisnik; heavy metal (Pity and the “bloody chromossomes”); Tom Zé; carnival
