Latest ArticlesThe content creation in science popularization led by artificial intelligence means that science popularization content production has entered a brand new stage of development. This paper analyzes the current situation and challenges in the development of AI-Generated science popularization content,the underlying logic of AI-Generated science popularization content from the technical paths of large model pre-training,vertical domain model fine-tuning,and popular science content generation,as well as the roles and functions of the three types of science popularization content producers,namely professional content producers,occupational content producers,and the public,in the process of collaborating with AI to create science popularization content. Based on the results of the study,this paper suggests that in order to realize the high-quality development of science popularization,it is necessary to carry out the “AI +”action in the field of science popularization,promote the in-depth fusion of AI and science popularization,and build a new paradigm of human-machine collaboration and multiple co-creation of intelligent science popularization content creation,so as to provide an intelligent impetus for improving the scientific quality of all the people.
As an alternative and progression of the“deficit model”,“public engagement with science”has received widespread attention and discussion from scholars since the end of the last century. However,in recent years,the development of“public engagement with science”has encountered certain difficulties on a global scale,and scholars have proposed a large number of solutions to this problem. However,these solutions still have shortcomings in addressing the passive engagement of the public and the substantive inequality between the public and science or scientists. Therefore,we also need to rethink the concept of“engagement(canyu)”itself and its significance for the public’s subjective identity cognition. In this regard,this article starts from the interpretation of “engagement(jinhe)”in the field of marketing,and discusses the theoretical differences and advantages of“engagement(jinhe)”theory compared to“public engagement(canyu)in science”. The“engagement(jinhe)”theory emphasizes on the flexibility of process,the integration of posture,and the sharing of value production based on the emphasis on the“user”attribute of participants. These characteristics are good references for debugging the theory and practice model of“public engagement(canyu)in science”and solving the current dilemma of“public engagement(canyu)in science”.
Cutting-Edge science and technology resources are widely and abundantly present within innovation entities such as research universities,scientific research institutions,and high-tech enterprises. These resources possess characteristics of original innovation,leadership role,interdisciplinarity,disruptiveness,and high risk. Uncovering and disseminating their content in science popularization directly contributes to maximizing research benefits and enhancing public scientific literacy. Based on an analysis of the current state of the science popularization of cutting-edge science and technology resources domestically and internationally,this paper delves into the challenges faced by China in this regard,such as the lack of top-level design,ineffective conversion channels and the separation between creators and disseminators. Utilizing the 5W1H analytical method,a transformation model is constructed that encompasses four dimensions: drivers of transformation,agents of transformation,long-term and efficient transformation methods,and elements of transformation content. By analyzing the core principles,gradual logic,and practical case studies of the science popularization of cutting-edge science and technology resources,the paper proposes effective strategies from four perspectives:top-level design and guidance mechanisms,building a collaborative framework for socialized science popularization,applying combinatorial innovation methods,and providing multimodal popular science supply.
Women play an important role in economic and social development,and the construction of women’s scientific literacy is of great significance for building a high-quality innovation army and promoting the practical transformation of productivity. This article aims to analyze the development status of scientific literacy among female citizens in China and propose suggestions for improving their level of scientific literacy. By analyzing the data from the 13th Chinese Citizen Science Literacy Sampling Survey,this study explores the different manifestations of women’s scientific literacy levels in terms of region,urban-rural area,age group,educational level,occupational group,level of interest in scientific and technological information,and channels for obtaining scientific and technological information. The results show that the scientific literacy of female citizens in China has grown rapidly,and the gender gap has been narrowing yearly. However,the overall level is relatively low,with scores in all dimensions lower than the national level. There are regional differences in the scientific literacy level of female citizens in China,with higher levels in urban areas than in rural areas and higher levels in the eastern region than in the central and western regions. The scientific literacy level of female citizens in China decreases with age and increases with education,and is lower than the national level in all age and education groups. Female citizens in our country have a high level of support for technological development,and their interest in technological information is generally average. Female citizens in our country often obtain technological information through digital products,and the utilization rate of science popularization infrastructure is low. On this basis,the following countermeasures and suggestions are proposed to improve the scientific literacy level of female citizens in China. First,optimize social gender awareness and cultural concepts and accelerate the bridging of the urban-rural scientific literacy gap. Second,establish a nationwide women’s education and training system,and improve the mechanism for ensuring women’s education and employment. Third,highlight the key points of women’s science popularization work and focus on women’s groups to carry out science popularization activities. Fourth,expand the channels for utilizing digital technology to obtain technological information and create a favorable atmosphere for women’s participation in science.
The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposes to strengthen basic research,highlight originality,and encourage free exploration. This discourse highlights the important role of basic scientific research in China’s scientific construction in the new era. However,at this stage,basic scientific research is not only facing traditional problems but also experiencing secondary scientific risks transmitted to the process of basic scientific research due to the embedding of social factors. Based on this,this article takes the LK-99 room temperature superconductivity event as a typical case and analyzes the risks in the process of basic science research from the perspective of public science by Alan Irving. It is believed that it is necessary to reconstruct the relationship between basic science research and the public from a public perspective,reshape the new pattern of scientific communication,interpret new ways of public risk perception,summarize the reasons why science and public relations do not match with second modernity,and reconstruct the relationship to rebuild the identity of“scientific citizen.”This will promote the establishment of an open science and knowledge-robust society,promote effective governance of process risks in basic science research,and safeguard the development of basic science research and its scientific communication in China.
The new forms of employment are becoming a new growth pole for employment and economic development,and the scale of workers in new forms of employment is constantly expanding. To understand the current situation of scientific literacy of workers in new forms of employment in China,this paper analyzes the development situation and characteristics of workers in new forms of employment based on the 13th National Civic Scientific Literacy Sampling Survey. The results show that the level of scientific literacy of workers in new forms of employment in China is relatively low,and there are differences in the level of scientific literacy among workers in different regions and different classification groups. Workers in new forms of employment perform well in applying science. Internet channels such as short videos are their main channels for obtaining scientific and technological information. Workers in new forms of employment are interested in science and technology and hold a positive attitude. They are willing to visit and use science and technology venues,and lack of time is the main reason for restricting their use of science popularization facilities. Based on this,it is proposed to attach importance to improving the scientific literacy in new forms of employment,focus on the main information sources of workers in new forms of employment,and strengthen the social responsibility of relevant subjects. Utilize unique resources,grasp key nodes and places,and classify and accurately popularize science. Facing the future development trend,we should take practice as the orientation and deepen the customization of science popularization content.
At present,building public understanding of and trust in science requires a“participatory turn”,which calls for the public to participate deeply in scientific practice. The rapid and in-depth development of citizen science not only exemplified the deep public participation in scientific practice,but also reflected the main problems existing in public understanding of science,public participation in science and building public trust in science in the past. The typical problems are the lack of enthusiasm,subjectivity and embodiment in public participation and excessive public participation. With citizen science as a form of participation,the public,through different degrees of embodied participation,not only truly integrates into scientific practice,but also obtains tacit knowledge and deep understanding that was difficult to achieve without embodied participation in the past,and also lays an empirical foundation for trust in science. The familiarity,understanding and personal experience of science generated by the public involvement in scientific research activities are important prerequisites for their trust in science. Thus,it is possible to build public trust in science in concrete citizen science practices. The rapid development of citizen science has provided inspiration for promoting public understanding,participation and trust in scientific work in China. Firstly,further enhance the cognition of citizens’scientific literacy and public participation in science,and deeply understand the multiple dimensions of civic scientific literacy and the multiple purposes of public participation in science. Secondly,strengthen the relevant policy system and combine governmental support with civic self-governance. Thirdly,strengthen the innovation of the way of practicing citizen science at both the organizational and technological levels.
During periods of revolution,construction,reform and strengthening of the country,the Communist Party of China,leading the Chinese path to modernization,has always emphasized the key role of science and technology,and paid attention to the strategic function of science popularization. Science popularization has played a fundamental and empowering role in the Chinese path to modernization by helping to solve the problems and challenges brought by the huge population,helping all people achieve common prosperity and share the fruits of development,helping to achieve material and cultural-ethical advancement,helping to achieve harmony between humanity and nature,and helping to achieve peaceful development. Its historical experience could be summarized as insisting on the leadership of the Communist Party of China,the idea of“handing science to the people”,serving the overall situation,improving the ability of science popularization,and exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.
Strengthening the training of science teachers is a higher requirement for science education put forward by the Party and the state in the new era,and it is also an inevitable choice to promote the high-quality development of science education. An analysis of 56 SSCI articles reporting on in-service science teacher professional development programs reveals that the content of international science teacher professional development focuses on themes such as integrative and cutting-edge science content knowledge,science inquiry including multiple models and variations,diverse perspectives on pedagogical content knowledge,and enhancing science teaching with information technology. Six typical professional development modes have been distilled from the analysis:experience-practice-reflection,demonstration-imitation,embedded learning based on course materials,individualized guidance through lesson study,real participation in scientific practice,and co-teaching. Based on the findings of existing research,this study offers insights for in-service science teacher training in China: integrating science content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge,paying attention to the practical application of science teachers,and conducting follow-up evaluations of training programs.
As the world’s top-ranking universities and the birthplace of general education reform,Harvard and Stanford have carried out several rounds of general education reform and established a well-structured general education system emphasizing science and technology,which can provide a reference for Chinese universities to keep up with the development and changes of the globalization and reshape their scientific and technical curriculum setting for general education. Based on the curriculum outline,student handbook and literature,this paper analyzed the history and reality of scientific and technical curriculum setting for general education in two universities,and summarized their advanced experience. The results showed that:in terms of goals and ideas,the scientific and technical curriculum setting for general education in American universities are committed to cultivating world citizens with scientific spirit and capable of making scientific decisions;in terms of the selection of course themes,their courses are based on historical and social backgrounds,oriented to the future,and focused on global scientific issues;in terms of the organization of contents,their courses advocate interdisciplinary and case learning,and integrate the courses with driving questions. Drawing on the above experience and based on the characteristics of Chinese universities,Chinese universities should clarify the orientation of scientific and technical curriculum settings for general education and update the curriculum objectives based on the current realities of the country and the university;highlight the integration of disciplines,grasp the dynamics of scientific and technological development and the focus of international competition;and follow the thinking progression and practical logic to build an integrated framework of scientific and technical contents.