Civic Science Initiatives

There is an educational element, a policy and community involvement element, and a collaboration element to civic science. We are responding to researchers at the U of M voicing a need to have assistance in finding resources outside of the University that would help them fulfill their Broader Impacts requirements in National Science Foundation grant proposals. Despite obvious needs and relevance for scientists and researchers at the U of M to communicate with larger sectors of the community, accessibility to the broader public has always presented a challenge to researchers and educators.

Science In the Community

Science and technology deeply influences our everyday existence and as time progresses, it grows in importance. With climate change, a decrease in resources, the rise of globalization and the expansion of global communication, the need for input from and collaboration with the broader society is imperative to education and research institutions. This is a two way exchange with the community benefiting from the knowledge and data that pertains to issues they deem to be of significance such as environmental impact studies of questionable chemicals or innovation in methods of urban transportation. Equally, researchers and educators stand to benefit greatly from relationships with regional communities as sources of feedback and locations for studies.

CSTPP works in the space where science and policy meet. We do this through numerous avenues. We assist in helping researchers communicate about their discoveries that may help the greater society. Including conferences on pertinent issues, such as Green Chemistry in Minnesota, allowing researchers to discuss alternatives to petroleum based chemicals and how new legislation in this state and others could benefit the environment and the society. Additionally, we connect researchers with policy makers, to alert legislators to new technologies that could influence future policy or new innovation in a particular field that could benefit the community by having the attention and funding of the state.

Education

The importance of science and technology on American competitiveness in the global economy can not be understated. However, the U.S. is lagging behind the majority of other developed and developing nations. The issue of maintaining children’s interest in science and math is one of the sources of the disparity. Programs outside of school have proven to improve the performance of students in all academic areas, including a significant increase in performance of high school math. Robotics clubs or programs such as GEMS (Girls in Math and Science) offer opportunities for children to expand their knowledge and experience in these areas. However, many of these programs are underfunded.

The University itself undertakes many aspects of public education by holding seminars, lectures and continuing education classes related to science issues for the community

Collaboration

Perhaps one of the most important roles that CSTPP has taken is to connect different organizations, educators, researchers and community leaders with each other on issues of science, technology, policy and education. Here are a few examples:

alerting the public and legislators of researchers that are studying topics that impact public safety and well-being such as transportation technology, environmental issues and development strategies
facilitating collaboration of U of M researchers and research units with community leaders and organizations. This allows the public to understand how research at the U of M affects and benefits their communities. Additionally, this collaboration can benefit the researcher by allowing for public input and feedback on community issues and needs.
encouraging collaboration with local art and cultural organizations by researchers and research units at the University. Art and culture can act as a very effective interpreter and conduit for scientific concepts that might normally be difficult to communicate to a non-science oriented audience. Activities such as Café Scientifique and Big Bang Book Club take science out into the community. Collectives such as Art on Wheels and Solutions Twin Cities use modern technology to create art and allow the public to have a say in issues in today’s society.