User:PontiacAztek/Public awareness of science

Intro
Public awareness of science (PAwS) refers to the public's knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, opinions, and activities in relation to scientific knowledge and organizations. This concept is also referred to as public understanding of science (PUS), or more recently, public engagement with science and technology (PEST). PAwS is a relatively new approach to exploring the connections and interactions between science, technology, and innovation and the general public. In its early stages, PAwS focused on increasing the public's knowledge of scientific topics, in line with the information deficit model of science communication. However, science communication researchers have largely abandoned the deficit model, recognizing that simply providing more information does not necessarily result in a better understanding of science among the public. Instead, there is now an increasing emphasis on understanding how the public uses scientific knowledge and on developing interfaces that can bridge the gap between expert and lay understandings of complex scientific issues.

Newer frameworks for communicating science include the dialogue and participation models. The dialogue model seeks to create spaces for conversations to occur between scientists and non-scientists, allowing for a two-way exchange of information and ideas. This approach acknowledges that scientific knowledge is not solely the domain of experts, and that non-experts can contribute valuable perspectives and insights. The participation model, on the other hand, seeks to involve non-scientists in the process of science itself, whether through citizen science projects or other forms of collaboration. This approach aims to promote greater engagement and empowerment among members of the public, while also expanding the scope and impact of scientific research. Overall, the goal of PAwS is to foster a more informed and engaged public, capable of making informed decisions about science and technology issues that affect their lives. By creating opportunities for dialogue, participation, and collaboration, scientists and communicators can help build a stronger and more inclusive relationship between science and society.