“Fin-tastic Fish Science”: Using a comic book to disseminate and enhance science literacy

Abstract

The need for more interaction between scientists and the public is widely recognized. If we want the public to support science, we need to effectively convey its nature and benefits. Science outreach can help reverse negative attitudes, spark curiosity and enthusiasm, and encourage communities to support science. Better communication tools than traditional texts are needed to increase positive attitudes toward science, which may lead to more self-motivated engagement with science in the future. The unique language of comics has the potential to portray abstract scientific concepts more easily than just words. Here we report findings from an assessment of how a science comic can affect student learning and attitudes toward engaging with science, compared to more traditional written texts, a journal article, and popular science summary. We used a pre- and post-reading questionnaire to measure learning gains and attitudes toward science engagement. Students who read the comic have the highest learning gain, equivalent to a journal publication, and see the most positive changes in attitude toward engagement with science. Our findings suggest that science comics could be a highly effective form of communication and outreach among the public.