In this episode of Consider This Next, host Kacie Luaders sits down with Doctora Nicole, a former astrophysicist turned social impact entrepreneur, to explore the critical realm of inclusive science communication. Doctora Nicole shares her journey from studying the stars to founding Movement Consulting, a company dedicated to transforming STEM culture into a more welcoming space for marginalized individuals. The conversation explores the challenges faced by diverse scientists in academia, the importance of visual storytelling in making complex concepts accessible, and strategies for connecting with varied audiences. Doctora Nicole emphasizes the interconnectedness of social justice and science communication, offering valuable insights for researchers, educators, and science enthusiasts alike. This timely discussion underscores the necessity of adapting communication strategies in an increasingly diverse world and provides thought-provoking questions for science communicators to consider in their work.

Featured are the voices of Carla Scaletti (Composer and Software Designer) and Martin Gruebele (Professor of Chemistry, Physics, Biophysics and Computational Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), who presented at the 2022 “Mapping Numbers to Sound – From Scientific Exploration to Immersive Musical Experience” Meeting on Oct 11, 2022 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign" Watch the full meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y-5BKN0nLg

Special Correspondent Okeyo interviews Dr. Hamisi Babusa, a pioneering Kiswahili author and lecturer at Kenyatta University. Dr. Babusa shares the story behind his groundbreaking work in Kiswahili science fiction and his mission to educate children through storytelling.

Dr. Babusa discusses how he introduced Kiswahili science fiction to Kenyan students, despite initial skepticism from publishers. “Some publishers rejected the stories,” he recalls, saying they considered the concept “very strange, very foreign.” However, he persisted, and his books now help children understand scientific concepts in their native language, Kiswahili.

The conversation highlights innovative approaches to teaching, such as Dr. Babusa’s “Makumba” series, where children learn about biology through the adventures of a magic vehicle that shrinks and explores the human body. “The magic vehicle enters the grandmother’s body while she’s eating,” Dr. Babusa explains, giving young readers a fun, imaginative way to learn about digestion.

Dr. Babusa also emphasizes the importance of teaching science in local languages: “Children understand better when taught in their indigenous language,” he says, arguing that teaching in a foreign language, like English, creates barriers to learning.

Looking to the future, Dr. Babusa hopes to inspire the next generation of African scientists, saying, “In the next five to ten years, I hope to see a scientific revolution… the children who are learning science through Kiswahili today will become the inventors and problem solvers of tomorrow.”

In this episode of Consider This Next, host Kacie Luaders speaks with Christine Giver, the host of the podcast and YouTube show Outside of the Box. Christine discusses her journey into the world of combat robotics, including her inspiration from the show BattleBots and the path that led her to become a science communicator. She shares how she makes complex robotics accessible to a wide audience and offers advice for scientists looking to engage with the public. Christine also talks about her efforts in building a community through Discord and how her involvement in the National STEM Challenge and Festival highlights the importance of inspiring young innovators in STEM fields.

In this 4th segment of a special series on CivicSciTV’s Questions of the Day (QOTD) Program, Africa Correspondent Stephanie Okeyo interviews Dr. Jeanne Mortimer, a marine biologist with a focus on sea turtles and tropical coastal and marine ecosystems. With experience working in 20 countries across six continents, Dr. Mortimer shares insights from a project in Seychelles that successfully integrated local Creole names for seagrass species into public discourse. The interview also includes Annike Faure, the Coastal Wetlands and Climate Change Project Manager at Seychelles Conservation & Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT).

They highlight key lessons learned, including the importance of using native languages to engage communities, the power of naming in conservation efforts, and the need for perseverance, determination, and collaboration across diverse stakeholders to achieve lasting impact. Additionally, they emphasize the value of involving local knowledge holders, such as fishermen, and the necessity of continuous public engagement to ensure that scientific efforts are meaningful and culturally resonant. The discussion underscores the idea that conservation success depends on making science relatable and accessible to all levels of society.

Keywords: science communication, language diversity, Seychelles, seagrass, Creole, public engagement, conservation, marine biology, community engagement, collaboration, cultural resonance, local knowledge.

This episode features Cindy Marie Jenkins, a digital navigator and Creative Editor of Outthinkmedia who discusses her work on media literacy, especially its effects on children. Insights include the significance of open communication, understanding the scientific implications of media, and fostering curiosity in children. The episode concludes with thought-provoking questions on the relationship between neuroscience, media consumption, and civic engagement.

In this segment, CivicSciTV’s Questions of the Day (QOTD) Program features Special Correspondent Stephanie Okeyo interviewing Dr. Syriacus Buguzi, a doctor, science journalist, and co-founder of Research Com. Dr. Buguzi discusses his digital initiative, MwanaSayansi, a Kiswahili science news portal aimed at increasing access to science information for Tanzanians. Passionate about raising the profile of health journalism, Dr. Buguzi focuses on making complex scientific information understandable and engaging for the public, bridging the gap between science and everyday life.

In this segment, CivicSciTV’s Questions of the Day (QOTD) Program features Special Correspondent Stephanie Okeyo interviewing Dr. Syriacus Buguzi, a doctor, science journalist, and co-founder of Research Com. Dr. Buguzi discusses his digital initiative, MwanaSayansi, a Kiswahili science news portal aimed at increasing access to science information for Tanzanians. Passionate about raising the profile of health journalism, Dr. Buguzi focuses on making complex scientific information understandable and engaging for the public, bridging the gap between science and everyday life.

In this segment, CivicSciTV's Questions of the Day Host Fanuel Muindi talks with IIyana Sawka, the Outreach and Communications Manager for LabXchange which is "a global science classroom that is open to every curious mind." Sponsored by the Amgen Foundation, the platform supports educators and learners worldwide, facilitating collaboration and personalized STEM learning pathways.

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In this episode of Consider This Next on CivicSciTVRadio, host Kacie Luaders first analyzes science communication practices by examining Jennifer Frazier's UCSF mini-course and its broader implications. The course aims to enhance scientists' engagement with the public through practical exercises and tools.

Kacie then transitions to an interview with DanielleMeinert, an amateur mycologist from Atlanta, exploring her transformative journey with mushrooms and their health benefits. The episode discusses the importance of science communication, personal curiosity, and the role of civic science in shaping informed communities.

--Search for more insights on the CivicSciTV Network Terminal featuring our reporting across video, audio and print journalism. https://civicscitv.org#CivicSciTV #civicscience

In this segment, 'Questions of the Day' host Fanuel Muindi talks with Dr. Akuadasuo Ezenyilimba, a postdoctoral researcher at Arizona State University and a fellow in the new AI and Society Fellowship Program at the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS). Ezenyilimba shares her journey from completing a PhD in Human Systems Engineering to developing a web-based application for mild traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. She highlights the importance of incorporating machine learning to improve the application’s effectiveness in enhancing executive functions. Ezenyilimba discusses the ethical considerations of AI, particularly in ensuring inclusivity and building trust among marginalized communities. She reflects on the role of user feedback in shaping her research and emphasizes the need for accessibility in technological advancements. Through engaging with community members, Ezenyilimba's work aims to bridge the gap between innovative technology and practical, everyday use, ensuring that new developments are beneficial for all. Ezenyilimba says, "It's important to ensure everyone, regardless of background, is considered in new innovations and changes."