Read on Twitter
Wanna know the trick to my larger science-themed threads? The ones where a few thousand followers jump in and chat science? (tips also work IRL with adults and kids of all backgrounds, in classrooms and offices and science fairs)
Step 1: clearly and enthusiastically invite others to join in. Explain just enough so they feel comfortable coming forward to engage
Step 2: Set the bar. I have a PhD in microbiology and immunology. My first answer is usually on the level of a 1st-grad class.
If you want people to feel comfortable, let them know you won't make them feel dumb.
If you want people to feel comfortable, let them know you won't make them feel dumb.
Step 3: Acknowledge effort, harness energy. Everyone takes a small risk in speaking up, so thank volunteers! The loud kid in a classroom can be used as a peer-instructor, as can an influence. Smaller voices/accounts should also be amplified to build trust and excitement
Step 4: Ask questions. You can learn more for yourself and allow others to jump in and learn.
Getting non-experts to think about a new thing is cool. Getting experts to think more about their own thing is cool!
Getting non-experts to think about a new thing is cool. Getting experts to think more about their own thing is cool!
Step 5: Review your own process. What went well? What did YOU learn? How could you engage more or a different audience in the future?
Extra tip: Assume best intentions, but ignore those who just want to ruin your table. The majority of people who seem to challenge you actually want to learn. But some will be assholes, and the best thing is to ignore them. Block/remove if interfering with others' learning
Anyways, science is awesome and exciting and challenging - there is always something new to learn. Science communication is exactly the same in that! Find others you admire (lmk who they are so we can all find them too) and learn away <3
Ooh second note: this won't necessarily get you more followers - and you my gut even end up losing more than you gain (I usually do). Gaining followers is a different goal. But the followers I do gain want to chat/learn science, and they are my fave.
As requested, an example: https://twitter.com/SusannaLHarris/status/1295732134209101825?s=19
