Handbook for Science Educators

This guide, published by the Institute of Research for Development (IRD), gives advice on how to organise and manage a public science outreach event, including tips for successful science communication.

Although primarily written for African science educators, this guide is for any person who wishes to organise events for public understanding of science and technology: researchers, engineers, technicians, teachers, students, journalists, and cultural activity mediators, who have little or no experience in such projects. Tips on how to organise such an event are provided, with the authors highlighting the need to use simple language, offer concrete examples, stimulate questions from the audience, and provide 'hands-on' activities.

Potential events include workshops, meetings with scientists, field excursions, tours, and interactive exhibitions. For each activity, the authors discuss science educators' role, the audience, and appropriate length. They outline the preparation required for each event and provide cautionary notes to assist in running it smoothly. The final section provides step-by-step instructions on implementing a science outreach activity: how to design it, set it up, practice it, greet the public, run the session, and evaluate the event.