Science outreach is an important component to SPOT’s mission and goals. We know that scientists engage with the public in two primary ways: direct outreach (examples include public talks, conversations, or interactive activities) and citizen science (examples include creating projects where the public can contribute with data collection or analysis). Additionally, it is important to engage the public as it has been shown to improve the perception of research thus promoting public trust. Lastly, we know that participating in outreach activities may be stimulating for scientists and can enhance creativity and motivation. At SPOT we have both ongoing initiatives, as well as one-off events throughout the year.
