Years 7 and 8
As a class, watch this short video (2:30) where proud Wiradjuri woman and astrophysicist Kirsten Banks explains her role as a science communicator.
Kirsten Banks - Astrophysics, TikTok and Culture
Explain to students that Kirsten is an active communicator on a range of platforms. Students can find out more about Kirsten and explore her blogs, podcast and other media on her website.
Now show students one of Kirsten’s TikTok videos. Her content includes videos that align with Earth and space sciences and Physical sciences content at this level. A great starting place is this video about forces on a balloon.
As class, discuss who the audience for Kirsten’s videos could be, and what features of the video support that idea. What features of the text show how Kirsten connects with her audience?
Students can also read about Kirsten’s approach to communicating ideas on TikTok here.
Research has shown that when girls are exposed to positive STEM role models who look like them, their interest increases along with an improved self-concept relating to STEM fields (Hughes, Nzekwe and Molyneaux, 2013). There are increasing numbers of scientists turning to TikTok to share their love of science with a broader audience, so encourage students to share scientists they identify with on the platform.
Science communication is the practice of informing, educating, raising awareness of science-related topics and engaging the public’s interest and enthusiasm for science. Science communicators can transform scientific information into accessible, understandable forms so all members of the public can develop scientific understandings of the world. Science communicators often play an important role in informing individuals and shaping community decisions.
Students can learn more about scientific communication and view some inspiring examples in this article from Shorthand.
Research has found that just altering a job title to sound like it demands more ingenuity or creativity can boost the number of female applicants. Girls may not realise the creative opportunities or the potential to make a difference of a career in science communication.
Girls are often motivated by activities that make the world a better place and enable them to connect to their communities. This article provides insight into then Director of Communications, Kylie Walker’s process in coordinating the Australian Academy of Science’s campaign to educate the public about immunisation.
Read the articleNote that students should not be encouraged to use the TikTok app but should create and house their video safely using school-approved apps and digital tools.
TikTok videos can be up to 3 minutes long, but your students could be encouraged to complete a 60 second video, like those on Kirsten’s channel.
Girls are motivated when they are given opportunities to approach projects their own way, so they are exercising their personal preferences and creativity. Emphasise the value of creating a unique video that expresses each student’s personality and style.