Katy Hinman, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Though more than 70 percent of United States adults claim a religious affiliation, faith is often perceived as a source of tension in STEM. This workshop is intended for attendees interested in religious inclusion in science spaces, including classrooms, labs, on social media, in policy discussions, or in public settings. Participants will review and discuss why culture, worldview, and identity (including faith) are important in science communication and engagement.There will be several small-group breakouts during the presentation portion of the workshop. During this portion we discuss religion and the U.S. public, the social and historical context of public engagement with science, and promising practices, including being strategic, being respectful, and being human. We conclude the presentation section by discussing what it means to “meet people where they are,” with examples from practicing scientists and science communicators.In the discussion and reflection that follows, participants have a chance to ask questions and consider the material that we’ve gone over. Lastly, there’s more time for breakouts, where small groups will each take on a challenging scenario, which is an opportunity for participants to synthesize and apply the material discussed.