Richard J. Wyma and William A. Nevill indiana UniversityPurdue University at Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana 46205 J. Terry Morrison Butler University Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
Science on the
I
project
An educational
A traveling science program called "Science on the Road" was brought to six state parks in the midwest from June 14 to July 28, 1972. Its purpose was to demonstrate to vacationers how science and technology interact with society. The following parks were visited MeCormick's Creek State Park, Spencer, Indiana--June 14-17 Kentucky Dam Village State Park, Gilbertsville, KentuckyJune 21-24 Fall Creek Falls State Park, Pikeville, Tennessee-June 28-July 1 Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton, IndianaJuly 12-15 Pokagon State Park, Angola, IndianaJ u l y 18-21 Hueston Woods State Park, College Corners, Ohio-July 25-28 At each site four different programs were presented which dealt with topics of current interest to the general public and these programs were entitled (1) Put Pollution on Vacation (Nature of pollution and its elimination). (2) A Drug Trip with a Scientist (Drug use and abuse). (3) A Constant Holidav: a Scientific Promise (Science and technology of the future). (4) Scientific Mystique Unveiled (Nature of scientific investigation).
The project grew out of concern within the scientific communitv over the lack of understandine in the eeneral puhlic on matters of a scientific nature w k c h affect their dailv lives. Since it was believed that the general public is desGous of understanding how science and technology interact with society, especially in connection with finding solutions to the great problems facing society today, a program was undertaken which would have the following objectives (1) to expme the public to technological progress and its impact on society. (2) to educate the public on possible technological solutions to current societal problems. (3) to inform the public how tax-supported agencies and private industries are currently attacking the challenge presented by these problems. (4) to evaluate the public response to scientific investigations and applications of technological progress. (5) to evaluate whether or not an educational program has appeal to the public in a "on-academic setting. (6) to encourage the public to respond to the challenge by considering, as an avocation or profession, involvement in the solutions of societal problems. The "Science on the Road" project was organized in such a way that it would utilize the facilities of the park rather than operate from a self contained mobile unit. The facilities ranged from the use of park nature centers and lodges to campground shelters. The four topical proThls manuscript was presented as a paper t n the LXvision of Chemical Education. 165th National Mecling of the American Chemical Socirry. 1)alias. 'l'cxns, .4pril 12. 197.3.
grams were presented on each of four days during the week. During the day, slides, film strips, and motion pictures were shown continually from 10:00 A.M. to 2 0 0 P.M. for park visitors who could only spend a few minutes a t the exhibit. The evening program from 8:M) P.M. to 9:00 P.M. included the showing of a 16mm film followed by a discussion period. Supplemental library materials were available for free distribution and for loan. The audiovisual program materials used in each part of the proTable 1. Audiovisual Prosrarn (11 Pollutian (a) 'Solid Waste-A Problem and an 0ppoxtunity"-35 mm alide program. W. R. Graceand company (hl "Ecology and Agrie"lf"re"-"nd filmstrips. voeationa1 and EdueationsiPmductiona (el "Our Pdiuted World: The price Of Pmmass"--sou"d filmstrio. c u m n t
(21 Drugs (a) "What Would You Tell a FrieodY-saund slide pmgram, Eli Lilly & company (b) ''Trends in Dmg Ahud-aound alide pmgram, Eli Lilly & Company (cl '-Drug Ahuse: It's YO". D.cisian"--ao"nd filmstrip. Marsh Film Enter-
Boardof Health (gl '"Drugs: Fight AgainstCsneer"-16
mm film, IndianaUnlversity
(3) science & Technology (a) "MinsionfheMm""-aoundfllmatrip,Ed"eatirmalActivitiea
(b) "Ak & space Age"-und filmstrip. SandmonTimes Mirror l c ) "Would vou Believe Tomormw"-sound-aiide omaram. Manufseturine
(4) science (a) "What ia Science"-mound
filmatri~.Educational Activities
Table 2. Library Materials Which Were Circulated Adaml. George F., "Landforms," GoldenPreria, 1971. Aaimov, Isaac. "Fset and Fancy." Avo". 1972. Bowen, Ezra. (Editor). "The High Sierrs."Time-Life. 1972. Burnett. R. Will. "Zodok/, and Intmdudion to the Animal Kingdom." Golden P r e s , 1958. Commoner. Barry, "Science and Survival." Bsllanfine Books. 1966. Country Beautiful, (Editors), "America the Beautiful in the Words of Henry David Thoroau," Country Beautiful Cow.. 1965. ',Color Treasury of crystais: Crystals, Symmetry in the Mineral Kingdom." Crescent Book. 1972. Cousteau. Jac ueaY "TheLivingSea."PoeketBwks, he.. 1964, 1971. Freeman. 1 r a 8 . . . . ~ i ; ~ ~ o ~ k . i t . ~ ~ ~~ o~u skp1969. ,~ f ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ : ~ a ~ d ~ heeman, Ira M.. "TheSciencp of Chemistry." Random House. 1968. Graham, Frank Jr., "Since Silent Spring," Fawcett Publications. 1970. Jssfrow. Robert. " h d Giants and White Dwarfs." New Ameiiesn Library. 1969. Kahn, Bernice, "The Lmk~if-upBookdT~~nrponafion,l' Random House. 1968. Msndd. Siegfried, "Dictionary of Science. Dell. 1969. Msrx. Welsey, "The Fmil Ocean," Bailantine Book. 1S7. GoldenPmsr. 1911. Mayall. R. Naurton."TheSk~Obaerver'sGuide," Mesfhone. Emmanuel, "The Technological Change." New American Library,
Young, J. 2.. "The Explosion of Scieoee: from Molecule to Man." C m m Pub 1irh.n
19C9
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gram are given in Table 1, and the library materials are listed in Tables 2 and 3. A total of 2313 persons attended the "Science on the Road" program during the six weeks period with many people attending two or more of the sessions. The evening program was clearly more popular (attendance: 1522) than that during the day (attendance: 791) Table 4 gives a detailed accounting of attendance for the entire six week period. The number of children compared to adults is unknown. However, most visiting families had two or three children whose ages ranged from five to twelve years. A large number of teenaeers did not attend the daytime programs; however, a surprising number of older and recued counles attended all the presentations regularly. It should be noted that on two occasions groups ofteenagers viewed the programs. On the 15th of June nearly 50 persons in an Upward Bound Program from Bloomington, Indiana arranged to see the day's presentation. And on the 28th of June about 130 young people belonging to the 4-H club saw the program in connection with their visit to the state c ark. However, the 4-H class's attendance was not due to program publicity. Attendance was influenced by several factors: the choice of~ nark. of the exhibit within the -ark.. ~ , the ~ location ~ and the weather. It appears that the park was most im~ o r t a n in t determinine the . nroiect's success. A park which . has extensive recreatikal and entertainment activities is not a desirable location for educationally oriented programs because the visitors are more interested in being entertained than being "educated." On the other hand, persons visiting a park which preserves the natural beauty of the surroundings are more inclined to attend these programs. This conclusion is borne out by the higher attendance record of visitors a t McCormick's Creek State Park and Fall Creek Falls State Park and the lower attendance a t the other parks. The location of the exhibit was also important. The programs during the day were best attended when presented a t a nature center or other educaTable 3. Library Materials Which Were Distributed
.
(1) Pollution ~ ? i ~ ~ ifor ~ Wster l e s Pollvtian Contml." Manufsefvring ChemMs Aasoe., Tollution: AchievingProgres without Pollution." Manufarturrng Chemists
"Sanitary Landfill Facts" U S Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, lPuhliesfionNo. SW-4-1. ',The A-B-Sear of Desalting." U S . Department of Intedor, U.S. Printing Office 1968: 0-306-916. "New Water."Offiee of Saline Water, U.S. Printing Ofice 1970: 0-381-844. ,,Can the U S . Win the War Against Pollution?" Environmental Protection Agency. ,,The Economic Impact of Polivfion Conval,* Environmental Protection Aeency. 1972. .'Toward a New EnvimnmenfalEthic." U S . PIinting OEfice 55W-W31. "Enuironmenid Protection-1971." Environmental Protection Agmcy, US. PrinfingOfiee1971: 0-050-479. "Solid Waste: APmhlemendsnOpportunity." W. R. Grsceand Co.. 1971.
(21 D r w Healere from tho sea." Eli Lilly and Co. "The Faef ofLife " Eli Lillyand Co. ',some ~ ~ ~ t ~ ~ h Weeds:' ~ ; tEliLillv ~ ~ and i Co. ~ ~ ~ o ~ s
tional building, preferably not the park lodge. The eve-' ning presentations were most successful when held in the same locations where naturalist programs are normally held, such as a campground shelter or a nature center. It was found that campers provide the most enthusiastic audience and presentation near their quarters is essential for their participation. The nature of the weather produced mixed effects. In rainy weather visitors were more prone to seek entertainment indwrs and this helped to increase attendance. However, if the bad weather persisted for several days campers left the park in large numbers for more comfortable quarters. To a lesser degree, the program scheduling also influenced attendance of visitors. It was noted that more people enter parks during the end of the week and, therefore, higher attendance on Friday and Saturday was observed. Also, the project was carried out in the early part of the summer when the weather is still changeable, and it is probable that scheduling it later in the summer would have helped increase attendance. An analysis of the "Science on the Road" project shows that it was moderately successful and most of the stated objectives had been accomplished. One of the most successful topics was "A Constant Holiday: A Scientific Promise." It showed the park visitors how technological progress has affected the lives of everyone. Space age gadgets, the potential use of lasers, and the use of plastics were several subjects of interest to everyone. After the evening presentation, "Conquering the Sea," many people remained and discussed the nros and cons of develo~ine natural resources in the sea. Clearly, this kind of dialogue indicates that n e o ~ l eare interested in technoloev and how i t affects their fives. "A Dme T r i with ~ a Scientist" was one of the most difficult suh~ectst o present. A factual approach to drug use and abuse cannot be separated from the moral and emotional aspects of the problem. The audiovisual and printed materials on drug abuse were plentiful. However, many of these were unsuitable for the program because of their highly emotional tone. A large number of pharmaceutical companies have prepared films on the beneficial uses of drugs, but most of these are slanted towards a particular product and thus were not used. Two films shown in the evening program were: "Drugs and the Central Nervous System" and "Drugs: Fight Against Cancer." The first was widely accepted hut the second proved to be too technical for most people to follow. Except for the parents of young children, most of the audience appeared to he "turned off" on drugs, and their use and abuse. Perhaps this was due to the great publicity in newspapers and on television on the subject. This program exposed the visitors to the problem of drugs, use and abuse, as well as solutions to the prohlem, but it is unfortunate that a larger Table 4. Attendance Record
--
After. Park
Date
MeCormiek'r Creek State Park Spencer, Ind.
6/14 6/15 6/16 6/17 6/21 6/22 6/23 6/24 6/28 6/29 6/30 711
Kentucky Dam Viliage State Park,Gilbariaville. Ky. tion. '.LSD? US. Dept. of Health, Edvesfion and Welfare (Publication No. 18281 U S . Printing Office 1969: 0-331-921. '.Diug Abuse? U.S. Dept, of Health. Education and Welfare. (Publieafion No. HSM-7?-9065) US. Printing Office 1971: 0-437-845. . Eduesfion and Welfare. (Publication "Stimulants. U S . ~ ~ poft Health, No. HSM-71.90261, U.S. Printing Offiee 1971: 0-437-84b .'Sedatives." U.S. ~ e p fof, Health. Education and Wolfaro. (Publiestion No. HSM-71.90271. U.S.PrinlingUrilce1Y71: 0-187-841. I'Marihuans," US. Dept, of Health. Education and Waifare. (Publication No. 18291. U S Printing Office: 19690-331-920. "Cigarette Smoking," U S . D e p l of Health, Education and Welfare. (Puhlication No. HSM 71-9064). U.S.Printing Office: 1971 0-437-844. "Alcohol," U S . Depf, of Health. Education and Welfare. (Publication No. HSM 71.90481, U S . Printins Office: ,971-0-437-843. (31 S ~ i e n e e Careers far Adventurers."Manufaeturing Chemists Amciation. '.what It Means to Be a Research Chemist." American Telephone and Tdag a p h c o . 19%. " ~ i ~ ~ StowofUnion ~ ~ ~ ~Carbide? ~ : Union k h Carbide ~ Company.
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Fall CrepkFslls State Park Pikeville. Tenn.
Indiana D u n e s t a t e Park, Chesterton,lnd.
7/12 7/18 7/14
Pakagon State Park. Angola. Ind.
7/18 7/19 7/20 7j21 7/25 7/26 7/27 7/28
,,."
,,,c
Hueton Woods State Park, Collage C o m m , Ohio Total Number ofvisitors Average Number ofviaifon par peek
A.M.
nmn
Evening
Weekly
number of camping teenagers were not attracted to the program. The subject "Put Pollution on Vacation" was very popular and well received by all who saw it. An abundance of printed material and films was found dealing with pollution. However, most audiovisual materials presented the causes of pollution without stressing solutions to the problem. The copyrighted sound-filmstrip programs which were used were chosen because they emphasized both the cause of pollution as well as its solution. In some cases portions of film programs were shown to emphasize certain aspects of the subject. The parks' personnel were especially enthusiastic about our treatment of the subject because it complemented the naturalist programs which were being presented throughout the summer. The park visitors also rated the program highly. During the evening the films "All the Difference" and "New Water for a Thirsty Land" were usually shown. The first film pointed out the causes of pollution while the second dealt with the subject of water purification. After seeing the latter film, a standard comment from the audience was "I never realized that government and industry were doing so much work to provide us with pure water." The audience appeared to be very responsive to this topic and long discussions often ensued concerning the economics and desirability of "putting pollution on vacation." Due to the complexity of this topic one could have spent several days on it without exhausting the subject matter. The program "Scientific Mystique Unveiled" was presented because it was felt the public does not really understand the nature of the scientific method, the motivation of a scientist, nor his function as an individual. Only a limited amount of printed material and audiovisual aids were available to illustrate this topic. The films "Molecular Magic" and "Wondering about Things" were shown during the daytime and "A Light in Nature" was shown a t the evening presentation. The first two films are lively and attention gathering. The last film is a very excellent film; however, many older persons in the audience were unable to comprehend the subject matter. On the other hand, the younger people had no difficulty understanding the material and found it interesting. It is difficult to ascertain whether or not this program had any lasting impact on the audience. However, it is noteworthy that a t almost every park several young people were so interested in the program that they came back repeatedly and even offered to help with the program. In all cases they indicated that they were interested in science and wanted to study it further. It appears that this program helped the visitors to understand the scientist and his role in society more fully. The "Science on the Road" project appealed to most persons who saw it. Over 76% of the visitors polled indicated they enjoyed the programs. Only 2% of the people felt the programs should not be presented at state parks. The remaining 22% expressed no opinion. Typical comments heard from those attending were: "I wish we could have seen more programs. I t is a good idea. I wish our
state parks had something like this. I wish I could see tomorrow night's program," et cetera. Although the project appealed to most people in the sample, it was felt that the percentages cannot he applied to the total park population. Clearly, with only an average weekly attendance of 386, the large majority of park visitors failed to be reached. This was not due to a lack of publicity because posters were placed throughout the park, pamphlets were distributed at central locations in the park, and announcements were made on local radio stations. Obviously, the persons who participated in the programs were sufficiently motivated to attend and their responses indicated this interest. Although the lihrary operation has not been discussed in this paper, it did have an important function in the program. Most persons took advantage of the handouts in the library, hut only a few checked out books in our permanent collection. Given the funds to buy more pamphlets and the space to transport them, many more publications could have been distributed. In order to conserve space and to present the programs easilv, audiovisual materials were used extensively: slides with-&nchronized sound tapes, filmstrips with tape cassettes, and 16mm sound motion pictures. The equipment necessary for the projects was transported by the visiting scientist. Desirable modification of the program should include the standardization of audiovisual materials so that fewer electronic devices would be needed. Many visitors expressed a desire to see demonstrations or an exhibit illustrating each topic. Such modifications might he desirable; however, in this project, they were impossible to implement. One last point concerning the operation of the project should he mentioned. Although three scientists conceived the program, only one scientist conducted it a t any particular park. This presented some difficulty in assembling and dismantling the projection equipment as well as its oversight during the week. A team of scientists a t the site probably could have administered the program more effectively. In conclusion, it is believed that the moderate success of this project indicates that science education programs directed to the public will be received favorably by many people. However, a large segment of the population will not become involved, not because they dislike such programs, but rather because they are apathetic about them. The solution to the problem appears to involve getting the public's attention. Would an old time "Medicine Show" do the trick? Who knows? Acknowledgment
This work was supported by a grant from the Indiana University Research Foundation (Grant No. URC 3-1072-31 Nevill) and the foundation is thanked for its financial assistance of this project. Gratitude is also expressed for the generosity of various companies, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Indiana Board of Health for providing various project materials.
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