"...to advance and communicate scientific knowledge and understanding of the Earth, the solar system, and the Universe, and to use the environment of space for research." (emphasis added)

This involves all of NASA's scientific research, and places the communication of newly acquired knowledge and understanding on an equal footing with the generation of that
knowledge and understanding. 

Without communicating these advances, this part of NASA's mission remains incomplete. Effective communication between scientists and non-scientists is not unlike the different languages on the Rosetta Stone (shown above) that unlocked the records of ancient Egypt. 

Without an effective translation between the language of science and the languages of others, communication is incomplete. Hence scientists need to better understand how to communicate the contents and importance of their research to the National Interest.

The concept of science communications is not new within NASA. In fact, in the Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, which created NASA, NASA is chartered to 

"provide for the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information concerning its activities and the results thereof."

Some of these assumptions include the rationale for science communications itself. According to Weigold's research there are at least three models, each of which remain essentially untested. First, there is the so-called "Deficiency Model," which asserts that science as a general enterprise requires an informed public, because the more people know about science, the more they'll support it.  However it is also possible that a more informed consumer is a more choosy or critical one. Second, there is the "Rational Choice Model," which argues that science communications is important so that the public can make key political decisions based on science. A counter argument to this model is that scientists themselves often don't agree on which course of action to take based on a set of scientific data. The third model for the rationale for science communications argues that a more "bottoms-up" approach is required, because individuals need and use science information in many different ways for personal decisions, education, information, and sometimes even entertainment.

"Whichever combination of these models for science communications is correct, if any," remarked Dr. John Horack of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, the organization sponsoring the research effort, "we have to try to communicate scientific knowledge in a way that makes the research we do more valuable. It must lead to a quicker transition from research knowledge to positive outcomes in the economy, quality of life, education, and so forth. If all we try to do is garner public support, `do outreach,' or build a positive image of science by `putting a nice coat of paint on the house,' I think we're really headed down the wrong track. Science communications must lead to better science and positive outcomes for society."

The second meeting also featured a lunchtime presentation by Dr. Rick Chappell of Vanderbilt University, co-author of the recent study "Worlds Apart: How the Distance Between Science and Journalism Threatens America's Future," published by the Freedom Forum. In his talk, Chappell articulated some of the findings of the recent study, and offered his suggestions for how to improve the communications skills of scientists, and the science literacy of journalists.

Another key session involved Nan Broadbent of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), who discussed the use of the Internet in science communications, and particularly the Eurekalert! service provided by the AAAS. The Eurekalert! site generates over 1,000,000 hits per month, and contains much of the latest scientific news and information from across the country. Intended primarily for science journalists, Broadbent noted that while this intended audience is indeed being well-served, the usage of the site by so-called "science attentives" within the general public outstrips the media usage by more that 5-1.

Other presentations were made by Bradie Metheney of the Washington Fax, and Roger Johnson of Newswise. A panel discussion on the role of the public information officer in a science-generating organization was also held, featuring Pam Hinckle of the Woods Hole Marine Biology Laboratory, Carol Morton, formerly of Brown University, Elizabeth Thomson of MIT, and Dan Gibbons of the Harvard University Medical School. 

Research/road map WWW site, Including biographies of panel members, a schedule of meetings, charter, and selected white-papers on science communications research. (under construction)

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center science communications home page

Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA, site of the second R² meeting.

Salk Institute for Biological Studies, site of the first R² meeting in June 1998.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory maintains an impressive outreach program.

University of Florida is deeply involved in the science communications research process.

"The Science Communications Process at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center," the first R² white-paper, presented at the 5th international conference on the Public Communication of Science and Technology in Berlin, September 1998

"Worlds Apart: How the distance between science and journalism threatens America's future" from the First Amendment Center.