Beyond dollars and cents: How investing in science outreach uplifts the community

Students, as future scientists, are exploring the importance of getting away from the bench and into the wider world. This blog series will focus on science policy and community engagement. Read the first article in the series here. Read the second article in the series here. Read the third article in the series here.

Stocks. Bonds. Cryptocurrency. Real estate. It seems like there are a million ways people say you should invest your money.

But what about your time?

Though most people think about investment in regard to finances, it can also refer to the act of devoting time, energy or effort to a task with the expectation of a worthwhile result. Outreach, the act of extending resources to underserved areas, is a worthwhile investment because it spreads the wealth while uplifting communities.

Specifically, science outreach bridges gaps between scientists and the public while promoting accessibility, literacy and trust.

Inspiring future generations 
There are many kinds of outreach and one of my favorites is educating K-12 students. Ideally all students will receive an adequate science education through their school; however, due to social and economic disparities, science learning activities may not be accessible to some students. Additional intervention is needed in these cases. 

Many science outreach programs provide hands-on activities to youth in underserved areas. These interactive and engaging activities not only teach the students about science but also help to generate positive attitudes towards the subject.

"Scientists should not solely rely on designated communicators. As experts in the field, scientists have a duty to learn how to share their insights with the general public."

-- Amber Hazzard

Knowledge is power 
Unfortunately, the disparities in K-12 science education have led to gaps in science literacy in adults. Science literacy must be improved to keep up with the public’s increasing interest in science. According to a study funded by NASA, 51% of Americans are interested in science but only 28% have the scientific basis necessary to “follow and engage in debates about current science and policy issues”. 

Working as a science communications intern has shown me that, in addition to cultural nuances, a lot of confusion and distrust stems from a lack of a solid foundation in science education. If people don’t trust or understand the principles behind vaccines or therapies, they cannot make informed decisions about healthcare or policy. This shows the necessity for people outside of STEM fields to be able to utilize evidence-based research. Adult outreach programs help bridge this gap while building trust in these communities.

Trust is earned
Trust in science is vital to successfully implement scientific advancements and public health initiatives. Regrettably, scientists have lied and taken advantage of vulnerable groups in the past. 

One infamous example of this is the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. This study, ran by the U.S. Public Health Service and Tuskegee institute, aimed to uncover the long-term effects of untreated syphilis infection. The researchers convinced hundreds of Black men living in rural Alabama to participate by offering incentives, such as free meals and medical treatment, while misleading them on the true purpose of the study. Additionally, the men were either given an outdated and less effective treatment or offered no treatment at all.

The Tuskegee Study involved Black men specifically, but it is important to understand that these immoral research practices were widespread and affected many groups. Lesser known examples include experimenting on mentally ill and/or disabled, imprisoned and low income people.

Public outrage led to the end of these experiments and the creation of laws to protect all people participating in research studies. While these laws have been in place since 1979, the initial deceit built long-lasting walls of distrust among certain groups.

Today, outreach programs help to build back trust in these communities by answering questions, addressing concerns and explaining how these policies help prevent mistreatment. Community health workers, people who reside in the communities they serve, are especially helpful as they serve as a trusted liaison between scientists and the community.

Still, scientists should not solely rely on designated communicators. As experts in the field, scientists have a duty to learn how to share their insights with the general public. Science outreach provides the perfect avenue for scientists to sharpen these skills.

Science outreach programs do far more than share knowledge; they go above and beyond by empowering individuals to engage with science in meaningful ways. By presenting scientific ideas in an accessible and engaging manner, these programs promote literacy and encourage participation of underrepresented groups.

As such, devoting time, energy and effort into science outreach programs is an investment that uplifts the community.