“What matters the most in science outreach? … ...Listening to people.”
Training by a professional science busker (street performer), David Price.
While we may never approximate his flair for drama and magnetism, he teaches very important principles about attracting attention and engaging people in a conversation about our science.
Here is David's “recipe” for science outreach success:
1. Tell a story. Stories are powerful vehicles for carrying our message to the people.
2. Speak slowly. This gives your presentation a bit of gravitas.
3. Build in pauses and moments to make eye contact with the audience.
4. Have a bit of jeopardy or danger in your story to create intrigue.
5. Find a commonality with the audience, for example, hold up your phone and ask, “Who has a phone?” Then go on to link your science story to this in some manner.
6. Get a member of the audience to follow a command (or just hand him or her a prop), this instantly involves people and gets them to stay long enough to meet you.
7. Don’t apologize. People don’t know to be disappointed until you tell them to be by apologizing.
8. Generate curiosity in the audience by letting them ask questions.
9. Share your passion!
If you are intrigued and would like to learn how to busk,there will be other opportunities!!!
We will repeat the training in 2018 and 2019. Stay tuned!
