Uncategorized
The art of science communication
Published
5 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersLocal glaciologist shares power of collaboration
By Bay Stephens EBS Staff Writer
BIG SKY – Science is traditionally not the setting of rich storytelling or moving artwork, yet a growing number of scientists are realizing that effectively communicating their work requires more than cold, hard facts. Cross-disciplinary collaboration and art are playing increasingly key roles in science communication.
Twila Moon, a glaciologist and Big Sky resident, has given significant focus to effectively relaying scientific findings. She has always had an interest in communication, but beyond mere interest, she has been deliberate about learning from communication experts how to better reach audiences, to speak their language. Her efforts will be on display at TEDxBigSky on Jan. 26 when she shares her story of witnessing dramatic changes in the cryosphere—the world of ice—as the climate warms.
“I think science communication as a broader field has also had a lot of important advances and people realizing more and more that it’s not about tossing facts at people or tossing numbers at people but it’s really about helping people understand how things connect to elements of their values and their day-to-day interests,” Moon said.
Relating the interconnectedness of our earth system is a common challenge the science community faces as people don’t realize how changes in the Arctic affect their lives. Moon said the science community has been learning to tell stories and be more personal, but it’s not exactly second nature.
“As scientists we’re not trained to bring ourselves into conversations,” she said. “We’re trained to do exactly the opposite and … effective science communication really requires that you discuss yourself as an individual and as a person too, which can be kind of uncomfortable for scientists.”
Art, and specifically a friendship with artist-activist Nina Elder of New Mexico, has benefitted Moon’s communication, she said, equipping her with new forms of storytelling and illustration that are often more powerful than graphs or statistics.
“They tend to be more effective for connecting with people’s values, which is so important,” Moon said.
Elder and Moon, who have known each other since childhood, founded the Wheelhouse Institute, which weds science, communication and art by bringing together women from these various disciplines for an annual cohort. The program provides collaborative and relational professional development for women, equipping them for increasingly available leadership opportunities.
This past year saw Wheelhouse Institute’s first group of women—a test run of sorts—and in 2019 a new “class” of eight women will be chosen, meeting twice in Big Sky for long weekend workshops and through long-distance mediums between individual members during the rest of the year.
The program forges greater understandings between fields, and furnishes a community that empowers women to lead, both of which are important in the current environmental and political moment to mobilize positive change.
Twila Moon will speak at the third annual TEDxBigSky as part of the Big Sky Ideas Festival from Jan. 24-27. Visit tedxbigsky.com for ticket information. Visit wheelhouseinstitute.com or changingice.com to learn more about Moon’s work.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome
Event Details
Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
Time
(Sunday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Cowboy Coffee
25 Town Center Ave. Big Sky, MT 59716