Starting from a review of connotative and functional definitions of scientific literacy, the author pointed out that definitions of scientific literacy were by no means of value-free, but reflecting the demands and main-streaming social values of a specific society. Therefore, the definition of scientific literacy for the Chinese general public and its related researches are expected to put emphasis on the components representing the closest approaches towards living and development of the Chinese people, based on the current social and economical development status of China, while maintain the commonness of international consensus on public scientific literacy.

Now science popularization in China is in the course of transition, which is quite different from the traditional one. We should make a good study of it because: first, great changes have taken place and are taking place during this period; second, the transition is just like the neck of a bottle where blocks may appear; third, our country in quick development provides more opportunities and better conditions for the transition of science popularization. To realize the transition in science popularization, we should pay more attention to the following: 1. As for the content of science popularization, it should contain all meanings of science, including scientific knowledge, scientific thoughts, scientific methods and scientific spirit. 2. Set up three new mechanisms for science popularization in China. They are: more input, better working mechanism and more qualified scientists and technicians for science popularization. 3. Set up evaluation mechanism for science popularization, promote researches on quality measure.

The article begins with the following seven aspects in which communication of science is involved. They are public, content, variation, market, platform, medium and society. Based on these sides, the paper analyzes factors that affect the diffusion and probes into improving approaches of communication of science. The paper indicates that the seperation of public from science is the certain result of the absence of scientific market and emphasizes the importance of reinforcing platform and establishing policy.

According to related survey data, there are some weaknesses in rural science and technology popularization organizations at the grass-roots level. Therefore, some measures should be taken to enhance the independence of associations for science and technology at county level and to re-elect the leading office at its expiration in time. Independent organizational system should be established in more towns and counties, science and technology popularization groups in villages should be perfected. In addition, we should develop associations for science and technology in street and in enterprise, increase the quantity of China Rural Special Technique Association (CRSTA) and Correspondence Technological University of Rural Prosperity.

To learn about the real situation of civil scientific literacy in Hubei province and reveal its function in Chinese society, a survey of questionnaires was conducted. By means of single variable statistical analysis and double-variable alternative analysis of 1 234 samples, this paper describes the current status of civil scientific literacy in Hubei province, discusses the relationship between scientific literacy and the society, indicates some problems with this respect that need to be improved. Through the analyses, the authors come to a conclusion that civil scientific literacy must be enhanced in order to ensure social harmony; this is also what should be included in the development of a harmonious society in new era.

China is the world’s second biggest emitter of greenhouse gases which lead to global warming and its role in the post-Kyoto global climate negotiation is pivotal. However, compared with the rising importance of China in the global climate change, the public understanding of this issue has been extremely poor. In this thesis, the methods of media content analysis and interviews with climate scientists and science journalists are combined to reveal social, economic and scientific factors leading to the lukewarm media coverage of climate change issue. While the insufficiency of the institutional science communication has resulted in the barren media knowledge of global warming, the lack of details and controversies lowers the public interest in the theme. More systematic approaches involving boosting the public debate on climate change issues, bridging climate scientists and media, creating interactions between readers and the media coverage in climate changes are urgently needed for an effective communication of the issue.

The forthcoming of the Internet Age has enabled the field of science communication with both new media and new research methods. With its novel traits including high information capacity, fast communication speed and multimedia, the Net has not only become an important platform for the public to acquire information but also provided a new site of communication and study for the youth, making their way and process of information-seeking more active, open and interactive while facilitating their share of resources. This dissertation will analyze and summarize the content of the websites of science popularization in combination with discussion over the advantage and purpose of Internet-based science communication.

In this paper, the biographies of Madam Curie are taken as the research object, different versions of the biographies of Madam Curie in some important libraries in China have been analyzed and reviewed, 136 Chinese biographies have been analyzed and inspected. The influential biographies have been relatively carefully analyzed on the basis of overall inspection.

This article is a brief introduction of the survey of “the Role of Scientists in Public Debate” and the “Survey of Factors Affecting Science Communication by Scientists and Engineers” conducted by Royal Society and Wellcome Trust in 2000 and 2006 respectively. The aim and objectives are concerning how scientists define the term “Public Engagement”, who they should communicate with, what they should communicate, how they participated in the science communication activities, how they feel they are equipped with science communication and what barriers to the public engagement, and also, what stimuli in encouraging science communication should be activated by governments, funders, institutions and departments. This article is expected to make Chinese scientists and other research organizations and those who are interested in science communication aware of recent research on the role of scientists in this field and provoke debates on encouraging more Chinese scientists in science communication and the evaluation of the effectiveness of the work.

The museum of palaeotology shows the whole process of the evolutionary history of life including human history. Audience are deeply impressed by long and tough trip of earth history, and fully understand the connotation of “protecting environment, cherishing life”. What’s more, the exhibition of the “evolutionary history of life” sets off audience’s interest in natural history and opens up their new thinking space and intellectual inspiration. To popularize “evolutionary history of life” is of great social significance to promote the rational development of earth science and its development in harmony with the human society.