Creating a 'Scientifically Literate' society

BY PREFESSOR M. T. M. JIFFRY, Chairman, Special Committee for Popularisation of Science, National Science Foundation

ADISASTER is an outcome of a hazard impacting on vulnerable populations. In other words, disasters are commonly understood as aberrations in the course of nature, which are presumed to be beyond the domain of human control.

In the past concept of disaster preparedness was confined to activities that improved the emergency response capacities of a society to respond to natural or man-made disasters.

Now it is perceived that the present challenge is to create more effective mitigation programmes that enable people in at risk environments to gain mastery of their own lives with confidence and overcome the vulnerabilities that inhibit social and economic development.

Thus, one of the basic needs for disaster preparedness would be to enhance the capacity to understand the nature of the disaster and how a society should organise to face such a situation with confidence minimizing the impending risks.

Creating a 'scientifically literate' society entails the act of empowerment of the people to understand the nature, the scientific basis of natural phenomena observable in the particular locality along with the relevant hazards that would occur and the scientific approach to face such situations with confidence.

Hence, it is imperative that the entire population understands the elementary facts regarding disasters and acquires the key competencies to face a disaster effectively and with confidence.

This has to be done on a phased out manner to suit the different strata of the population depending on their intellectual levels, through formal, non-formal and in particular informal modes of education.

Moreover, such programmes should be organised in such a manner especially pitching at the right depth and breadth, making it more learner friendly, generating enthusiasm and urge for participation.

The National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF), amidst its varied commitment to promote scientific research and foster fellowship amongst scientists, is mandated to popularise science amidst the general public.

For this purpose the NSF has set up a Special Committee for Popularisation of Science (SCOPS). During the past year the SCOPS has undertaken several projects virtually to promote science amidst all types of people with special emphasis on school children.

For this purpose a variety of strategies have been adopted, especially focusing on reaching out to the village and promote the scientific concepts on a learner friendly format. With the recent incidence of tsunami, in conducting these programmes particular attention has been paid to educate the people on the scientific basis for understanding natural disasters too.

It was assumed that a 'scientifically literate' society would be an easily approachable and educatable target group to further enhance new knowledge and empower with adequate competencies to face natural disasters with confidence.

The World Science Day is on November 10, every year, this year's theme 'Natural Disasters' with activities that promote awareness of natural disasters amongst the people.

For this purpose satellite programmes were conducted in four districts in the first phase, to promote awareness on natural disasters and its scientific basis amongst the school children. Already three programmes have been successfully conducted in Hambantota, Ampara and Ratnapura districts.

A special feature of these programs is that the scientists within the respective areas are being encouraged to participate on these programmes.

Secondly, the school children are requested to stage a drama on a theme related to natural disaster and also a poster competition is organised to facilitate active participation of children of all ages. It is intended to provide an opportunity to display the best posters and also to stage the best drama at the World Science Day celebrations.

Children's book on tsunami were distributed to all school libraries.

Several video programs of 20 minutes duration in all three languages will be telecast soon for the benefit of the public.

Scientists as communicators

Although the scientists have the expertise in their own disciplines, only few of them have the skills of communicating effectively to the public. Thus, to develop the communication skills amongst the scientific personnel in Sri Lanka, several workshops were conducted with the assistance from Indian consultants.

As a result a pool of scientists with basic understanding on effective communication skills have been created. It is intended to conduct few more workshops to promote the communication skills amongst the scientists in order to facilitate effective diffusion of basic scientific concepts to the society, in the creation of a 'Scientifically literate' society.

Production of reading material

To facilitate the diffusion of scientific concepts, the NSF has launched a programme to assist science writers to publish quality reading material written in simple langauge and format.

These are meant to supplement the programmes carried out by the NSF in promoting scientific literacy amongst the general public and empower the society to be confident and effectively manage disaster situations.

Building confidence and inculcating the scientific basis of facing life situations amongst the people of the remotest village is the ultimate aim of the programme launched by the NSF. This cannot be achieved by a single programme or by a single organisation.

It needs effective partnership amongst all the stakeholders responsible for the dissemination of basic information and educating the public to face disaster situations effectively and with confidence.

This is a continuous programme which needs to be continuously carried out with efficient planning and effective management.