Over the last six years, CienciaPR has established collaborations with several print and online media outlets to publish science stories and narratives from CienciaPR members. Some of these partnerships include: El Nuevo Día, Puerto Rico's widest-circulation newspaper; Diálogo Digital, the digital newspaper of the University of Puerto Rico; community newspapers such as El Nuevo Periódico de Caguas; and international Spanish-language media outlets such as Science Friday en Español and E-ciencia.com. Another way to promote scientific literacy is through podcasting. In 2008, CienciaPR launched a Spanish science podcast series (the first in Puerto Rico), available online through its website and iTunes, and also broadcasted by local radio stations in Puerto Rico (Radio Casa Pueblo and Radio Prócer). In 2011, Ciencia Puerto Rico published ¡Ciencia Boricua! Ensayos y anécdotas del científicos puertorro, the first anthology of culturally-relevant multidisciplinary science essays written by Puerto Rican scientists with the purpose of developing science awareness and enhancing public understanding of science.
Through these print, online, and radio collaborations, CienciaPR has increased the extent of culturally-relevant scientific news content in Puerto Rico and raised awareness about the importance of science to Puerto Rico and the life and work of Puerto Rican scientists at a national and international scale. Over 103 articles and 193 podcasts have been published, all stemming from volunteer contributions from members of CienciaPR’s scientific community. In addition to these informal science education initiatives, CienciaPR uses social media networking platforms (i.e. Facebook and Twitter) to disseminate original science articles and podcasts, as well as other relevant news and science-related information.
Here we discuss how CienciaPR provides a model and perspective on the participation of professional scientists, both local and from the diaspora, in science education and the public understanding of science.