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Everyone should be able to understand what their doctor says, or converse about the science behind the latest gizmo. Unfortunately, the language of science dulls the average mind, and soon send most running- if they’re not already asleep.

I’m going to looking into how people creatively engage the public about science. I’m sure to see some successes and failures. Successes measure the health of the efforts to improve health and science literacy. For example, The University of Arizona Medical School’s Summer Institute on Medical Ignorance brings disadvantage high school students into the research lab. The students get to experience the frontiers of science first hand while interacting with scientists and physicians.

“Ignorance sounds like a bad word,” said Peter D. Crown, Virtual Clinical Research Center Producer for the UA Department of Surgery.  The program looks at ignorance as a philosophy, said Crown, a reason to ask questions. If you don’t know, ask, he said. I couldn’t agree more. According to their website, students have left the program energized and ready for a career in science, and asking questions. Failures are not exciting, but just like ignorance, they provide an opportunity to learn.   Making science interesting is unnecessary; making the language exciting is.

For the next few weeks, I will focus on science and health literacy on the border. I’ll examine what kinds of health and science issues a person should focus on while living in the region, and what’s being done to educate people on the border about health and science.