0:00:17.000,0:00:28.000 Five years ago, I experienced a bit of what it must have been like, to be Alice in Wonderland. Penn State asked me, a communications teacher, to teach a communications class for engineering students. 0:00:28.000,0:00:31.000 And I was scared. 0:00:31.000,0:00:38.000 Really scared! Scared of these students, with their big brains, and their big books, and their big, unfamiliar words. 0:00:38.000,0:00:48.000 But, as these conversations unfolded, I experienced what Alice must have, when she went down that rabbit hole, and saw that door to a whole new world. 0:00:48.000,0:00:51.000 Thats just how I felt, as I had those conversations with the students. 0:00:51.000,0:00:58.000 I was amazed at the ideas that they had, and I wanted others to experience this wonderland as well. 0:00:58.000,0:01:02.000 And I believe the key to opening that door, is great communication 0:01:02.000,0:01:08.000 We desperately need great communication from our scientists and engineers, in order to change the world 0:01:08.000,0:01:14.000 Our scientists and engineers are the ones, that are tackling our greatest challenges, 0:01:14.000,0:01:17.000 from energy, to environment, to health care, among others 0:01:17.000,0:01:22.000 And if we don't know about it, and understand it, then the work isn't done. 0:01:22.000,0:01:26.000 And I believe that it's our responsibility, as non-scientists, to have these interactions. 0:01:26.000,0:01:32.000 But these great conversations can't occur, if our scientists and engineers don't invite us in to see their Wonderland 0:01:32.000,0:01:36.000 So, scientists and engineers - please! 0:01:36.000,0:01:38.000 Talk nerdy to us! 0:01:38.000,0:01:42.000 I want to share a few keys on how you can do that, 0:01:42.000,0:01:47.000 to make sure that we can see that your science is sexy, and that your engineering is engaging 0:01:47.000,0:01:51.000 First question, to answer for us: So what? 0:01:51.000,0:01:55.000 Tell us why your science is relevant to us! 0:01:55.000,0:01:59.000 Don't just tell me that you study trabeculae - 0:01:59.000,0:02:02.000 but tell me that you study trabeculae, which is the mesh-like structure of our bones, 0:02:02.000,0:02:06.000 because it's important to understanding and treating osteoporosis. 0:02:06.000,0:02:11.000 And when you're describing your science, be aware of jargon. 0:02:11.000,0:02:14.000 Jargon is a barrier to our understanding of your ideas. 0:02:14.000,0:02:21.000 Sure, you can say "spacial" and "temporal", but why not say "space" and "time", which is so much more accessible to us? 0:02:21.000,0:02:26.000 And making your ideas accessible to us, is not the same as dumbing it down. 0:02:26.000,0:02:32.000 Instead, as Einstein said, "Make everything as simple as possible, but no simpler." 0:02:32.000,0:02:37.000 You can clearly communicate your science without compromising the ideas 0:02:37.000,0:02:43.000 A few things to consider are, having examples, stories and analogies - 0:02:43.000,0:02:46.000 Those are ways to engage and excite us about your content. 0:02:46.000,0:02:51.000 And, when presenting your work, drop the bullet points. 0:02:51.000,0:02:55.000 Have you ever wondered why they're called bullet points? 0:02:55.000,0:02:59.000 What do bullets do? They kill! 0:02:59.000,0:03:00.000 And they will kill your presentation. 0:03:00.000,0:03:07.000 A slide like this, is not only boring, but it relies too much on the language area of our brain and causes us 0:03:07.000,0:03:08.000 to become overwhelmed. 0:03:08.000,0:03:13.000 Instead, this example slide by Genevive Brown is much more effective. 0:03:13.000,0:03:17.000 It's showing that the special structure of trabeculae are so strong, 0:03:17.000,0:03:21.000 that they actually inspired the unique design of the Eiffel tower. 0:03:21.000,0:03:25.000 And the trick here, is to make a single, readable sentence 0:03:25.000,0:03:28.000 that the audience can key into, if they get a bit lost 0:03:28.000,0:03:36.000 and provide visuals, which appeal to our other senses and create a deeper sense of understanding of what's being described 0:03:36.000,0:03:38.000 I think these are just a few keys 0:03:38.000,0:03:40.000 that can help the rest of us 0:03:40.000,0:03:44.000 to open that door, and see the wonderland that is science and engineering 0:03:44.000,0:03:49.000 And because the engineers that I have worked with have taught me 0:03:49.000,0:03:51.000 to become in touch with my inner nerd, 0:03:51.000,0:03:53.000 I want to summarize with a simple equation 0:03:53.000,0:03:57.000 Take your science 0:03:57.000,0:03:59.000 Subtract your bullet points and your jargon 0:03:59.000,0:04:03.000 Divide by relevance, meaning share what's relevant to the audience 0:04:03.000,0:04:08.000 And multiply it by the passion that you have for this incredible work that you're doing 0:04:08.000,0:04:12.000 And that is going to equal incredible interaction 0:04:12.000,0:04:14.000 that are full of understanding. 0:04:14.000,0:04:18.000 And so, scientists and enginners, when you solve this equation, 0:04:18.000,0:04:26.000 by all means - talk nerdy to me.