2015 AAAS Annual Meeting (12-16 February 2015)

February 12 - 16, 2015

Using Cartoons To Convey Science

Cartooning is an effective way for both professionals and amateurs to convey what they know about science. Professional cartoonists can seamlessly integrate words and images to create compelling narratives that explain scientific topics with a consistent visual framework and rich forms of language -- in speech balloons, in narration, in notation -- to engage readers with drama and humor. Amateur cartoonists, including those on both sides of the classroom, can also benefit from creating visual explanations, and a glance at XKCD or Dilbert shows that you don’t have to be Picasso to participate. This panel will cover both ends of the spectrum, from a leading cartoon expositor of science -- who has created book-length cartoon guides to chemistry, genetics, statistics, and more -- to a bioengineer and self-described “hack cartoonist” who uses drawing in his teaching and in conjunction with the origami-based paper cutout microscope he has developed. Joining these practitioners to provide evidence of pedagogical effectiveness is a cognitive psychologist who has done broad research in visual communication.