Abstract
Planetary scientists can face challenges in effectively interacting with
audiences. To help address their needs, the Lunar and Planetary
Institute (LPI) conducts professional development for planetary
scientists through seminars and workshops. LPI also enables scientists
to participate in public events, and connects them to requests for
speakers. LPI’s Sharing Planetary Science seminars include current
educational research and incorporate the participants’ own knowledge and
experiences in engaging public audiences. Participants attend in-person
or online. Post-session surveys indicate that all participants (100%)
have found at least one aspect of each seminar valuable. Resulting
resources are available online.
www.lpi.usra.edu/education/scientist-engagement. In March 2019, working
with the Volatiles, Regolith and Thermal Investigations Consortium for
Exploration and Science (VORTICES) program, LPI conducted the first
Planetary Scientist Engagement Institute. This 2-day training was
attended by 23 planetary scientists from across the U.S. who learned
about audience needs, common solar system misconceptions, resources for
engaging audiences, addressing controversial topics, partnering to reach
diverse audiences, and more. In the follow-up evaluation, all (100%) of
participants found that the program met their goals and was useful. LPI
has conducted a variety of scientist engagement activities at
conferences, including sessions and workshops on communicating with
audiences, using social media to share their science, and communicating
with news media. All have proven popular. LPI hosts a variety of public
events, and enables planetary scientists to participate as speakers and
as activity facilitators. LPI connects scientists with requests for
presentations, both locally and virtually. Future plans include
developing a mechanism for evaluating the process and the perceived
impact by the scientists. This poster will include further details of
these professional development sessions, their resulting resources, the
evaluations, and future plans.