2018 - 2023

The collaborative On-the-Spot Assessment to Improve Scientist Engagement with the Public (OTS) project has developed an overall strategy and suite of tactics for STEM professionals to use during public engagement with science outreach events. The project builds on the theory of change that if scientists have training and access to the right resources then they will gain confidence and an understanding of how to flexibly engage with their audience. This two-phase study began by working with scientists to create effective strategies for audience feedback that were then field-tested across a variety of activity types, leading the project toward a validated OTS model for scientists.

The STEM Research Center will lead the research efforts of the project while collaborating on the development. R&D activities during this four-year project include:

• Development and testing of the framework
• Development and implementation of OTS model, including a framework of strategies and training
• Build capacity for outreach STEM professionals to use the model

The goal of the project is to shift scientists from communicating science to people towards engaging people with science, using effective assessment tactics that allow scientists to modify their engagement with the audience on the spot.

Partner Institutions:

• Astronomical Society of the Pacific
• The Portal to the Public Network
• National Radio Astronomy Observatory
• J. Sickler Consulting (project evaluation)

Center Team: