Science Literacy Week: celebrating ‘geeks’
Jesse Hildebrand put his energies to creating Health Literacy Week right after his very last class at University of Toronto. So successful was its first year, 2014, that this year its expanded Canada-wide festival with 280 events stretching from Victoria to St. John’s. Forty cities and 120 partner institutions have joined.
“I’m flabbergasted how many people said yes to this event. Of more than 4,500 emails, I got 10 yes responses for every no.”
Hildebrand, who studied ecology and evolutionary biology, and earned a master’s degree in science communication from England’s Open University, believes science literacy is more important than it has ever been, and credits his undergraduate astronomy professor for help and encouragement.
“So many decisions and policies are made without sufficient scientific process and basis. Science literacy is the basis of our lives and critical to making the best decisions that will influence our lives now and in the future. Think about it: Every time you make a call with a cell phone, every time you are sick and take medicine, every time you use the internet you are, knowingly or not, reaping the benefits of scientific inquiry”
While working part-time as an educator for Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada Hildebrand reached out to museums, libraries and researchers across the country to build the diverse program of events.
Hildebrand and Science Literacy Week has the full support of world-renowned regenerative medicine expert, Molly Shoichet and senior advisor on science and engineering engagement at U of T. (Read more about the appointment.)
Dr Molly Shoichet
“Science forms the backbone of a great deal of our everyday experience,” said Hildebrand. “I think just as literacy enables you to understand the language that forms the basis of our society, science literacy empowers people to think skeptically about scientific claims, and to appreciate the nature of scientific inquiry and discovery.”
Shoichet’s message to young people:
“It is the ‘geeks’ who change the world. Embrace the geek in you, make a difference, and tell people about it.”
Among the full list of events Prof Ron Baecker will show off TAGlab tech at Research and Aging Panel. Read Tweets from the lively session.
With files from
http://news.utoronto.ca/fostering-public-passion-stem
http://news.utoronto.ca/science-literacy-week-u-t-night-sky-jurassic-park