Tutorial 8 - Week 9

Before beginning my journalism degree at UNSW, I did two years of a Bachelor in Forensic Science and Applied Chemistry at UTS, and I know all too well the importance of visualising science. The visualisation of science is both important for the understanding of scientific concepts by the lay person, but also for the application of the science by scientists. I remember in one lesson we were instructed to create all the measurements to assess how a speeding car crashed through a billboard. Without being able to visualise our scientific measurements, there is a good chance no one would have realised my mathematical skills were so off, I had measured the 'speeding' car to be practically stationary.

I know from first-hand experience, science is hard. Scientific concepts and scientific language, when delivered in a theoretical manner, are very difficult for the ordinary person to understand. The visualisation of scientific concepts, such as in the Information is Beautiful reading help the average Joe to really see what impact issues like climate change are having on the world. The visualisation allows people to understand scientific processes and develop ways in which they can assist or delay such a process. Through visualisation people can see the greater impact scientific events are having on a variety of levels; locally, nationally and globally, such as in the CO2 Now reading.

This video demonstrates how the visualisation of the sonic boom allows people to easily comprehend what a sonic boom is, and how it works, by seeing this concept visualised.




I think visualisation is a very important tool for encouraging people to take decisive action in regards to issues such as climate change. I have found that when you deliver facts in the form of bulk text and complicated equations, it goes in one ear and out the other. Whenever I try to explain a chemical process to someone, I usually find they don't understand it unless I draw out all the interactions between the atoms. This visualisation explains the concept of 'cap and trade', whilst this video, titled "Inspiring Action" visualises the destruction of the earth to encourage people to take action.

It is really important that messages are conveyed through the publishing of visualised scientific messages. The visualisation of scientific concepts gives people a new perspective about the issues and events that are happening around them.


Whilst I'm on the topic of visualised science and global warming, here are lots of polar bears visualising science and science-based activism.

Source: http://media.nj.com/njv_shenemans_sketchpad/photo/climate-changejpg-848943ae7786e958.jpg