Talk Science to Me

by Hannah Manalo

Thumbnail by Corina Medina

There has been an influx of science-related news floating around the internet lately. Topics like global warming, vaccination, and planet rovers are now accessible at any given time through articles, videos, infographics, and other types of online content.

Big and small media outfits are undoubtedly taking steps to keep their audiences updated with advancements in science and technology. However, it’s going to take a leap to make talking about science as commonplace as talking about the weather and your tita’s cousin’s best friend’s sister who just graduated from college.

revolution

/ˌrevəˈlo͞oSH(ə)n/ noun

: a sudden and great change

The process of revolutionizing how people perceive scientific information is long, gruesome, and near impossible, but it’s got to start somewhere.

As a part of its 20th Anniversary, the UP Broadcasters’ Guild decided to take a step towards this direction. After all, being an organization of media practitioners is a great premise for bridging the gap between science and the media. Even more fittingly, this anniversary week’s theme, TUKLAS, allowed the organization to explore how such a feat could be achieved.

One of the organization’s events is Media Revolution (Media Rev), a forum about anything under the sun in regards to media. This year, Media Rev veered away from its usual forum format, and instead, produced a live talk show where science communication was the hot topic. Its role in bolstering environment conservation became the focal point of the discussion, hence the event being dubbed as, “ChiKALIKASAN.”

Three experts share their knowledge on science communication. From left to right: Ms. Aia del Mundo, Ms. Kamila Navarro, Mr. Jonathan Anticamara, Ph.D.

communication

/kəˌmyo͞onəˈkāSH(ə)n/ noun

: the imparting or exchanging of information or news

In the simplest sense of the term, science communication is about creating a conversation. Science is so often perceived as too difficult a topic, but talking about science-related topics will never get easier unless the conversation is started. And this is exactly what Media Rev 2019 urged its participants to do:

Talk.

Talk about the corals, the trees, the animals, and how they must be nurtured in order for humanity to survive.

Talk about the overproduction, the consumerism, the exploitation, and how humanity is digging its own grave.

Talk about the melting glaciers, the sweltering heat, the withering crops, and how the Earth is dying but humankind is the one that needs saving.

Talk and create a conversation that cannot be ignored. Talk so passionately about these things that people start to listen.

connection

/kəˈnekSH(ə)n/ noun

: a relationship between two things, people, or groups.

In our day and age where scientific content online is filled with more mindless jargon than heart, further alienating those who cannot keep up, a great bulk of the burden falls not only to the scientists, but also to the media practitioners.

This year’s Media Rev wasn’t just a conversation. It was also an invitation to all media practitioners to be mindful about the way content is presented.

One student joins the conversation on environmental conservation.

Content creation now becomes a dare to make information relatable through the various platforms made available to us. Nonetheless, it should not be about merely putting stuff out there. It should be about making science and the environment relevant to the public’s every day without sacrificing the integrity of information.

Be the bridge that connects seemingly far-fetched scientific information to the people. Create things that make science a great dinner table conversation starter. Make science less scary. Let’s give our titos and titas something else to talk about, yes?