Poster
S. Pereira, P. J. T. Pereira, J. Retrê, F. A. L. Pires
Abstract
We believe that we need to permanently raise within the society the awareness of the role and relevance of science, and to motivate children and youngsters to follow scientific careers. One of the ways science communication can reach new audiences is through its integration in cultural and artistic activities and entertainment events. With this purpose, the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA) has been establishing partnerships with art schools, cultural agents and creative agencies. Working with the coordinators of BA and MA in Communication Design, Animation Arts or Multimedia Design, we have been gathering a portfolio of free educational contents in Astronomy, in Portuguese, scientifically validated and with visual quality to attract young audiences in informal contexts. These partnerships have also promoted science communication as one domain of professional development among art students, who may contribute in the future to the material and visual culture in science communication. One of these students has joined the Science Communication team at IA. The return of this work is, so far, two MA projects in science communication, eight short animations, twelve fulldome animations and two educational projects with potential for an international reach. The short animations will likely be presented in cinema festivals, while the fulldome animations are presented daily at Planetário do Porto – Centro Ciência Viva. IA also established a partnership with EGEAC, the public company dealing with major cultural events in Lisbon, which led, so far, to co-organising events with Museu de Lisboa – Teatro Romano promoted through Festas de Lisboa programme. A partnership with the O Cubo agency led to a school workshop about constellations and which output was presented at the Lumina festival in Cascais in 2018, a three-day festival that received 200 000 people and is dedicated to light-based art works. Along the way we have learned the best ways of realising this integration of astronomy and cultural creation, and have received positive feedback both from teachers and cultural agents, acknowledging the specificity and richness of science communication competences and outcomes.
XXIX Encontro Nacional de Estudantes de Astronomia
Lisboa, Portugal
2019 September
