News in Brief
Science communication on mobile in China
The Shanghai Association of Science and Technology (SAST) have developed a novel method to engage their residents with science. They have devloped the `Messaging Science' initiative, which will enable mobile phone users to receive text messages on a variety of scientific subjects, including aerospace, health and biology. The messages have been edited by professional science writers, in order to give readers more than just a bland news brief.
Nearly six months were spent preparing the initiative, during which time the association's 100,000 members were invited to contribute interesting science facts based on already published information. The messages were then edited by professional science writers, in order to make them more interesting and give readers more than just a news brief.
Chen Jifang, vice-president of SAST, says that the increasing popularity of text messages in China means that sending them could have a much bigger impact than traditional methods of science communication.
The initiative will be officially launched on 27 January, to coincide with the Spring Festival. During this two-week period, thirty free messages on health will be sent to around 30,000SAST members and SAST hope that these recipients will forward the messages to friends and family.
A survey will be used to assess the public response to the first batch of messages as well as how frequently they were forwarded.
Future plans for the programme include encouraging Shanghai citizens to contribute their own messages, with a prize for the best message up for grabs at the city's annual Science and Technology festival in May.
