1998-1999 Winner

Dr. Robert Barclay
University of Calagary
Winner of the Gordin Kaplan Award Lecture

Lecture: "Bats aren't Bugs and Other Biological "Facts"" was presented June 2nd, 1999 at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Canadian Federation of Biological Societies that was held at the Brodie Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Presentations made as part of public awareness of science activities may be viewed by some as one-way flows of information and excitement about science. We are told that our enthusiasm can be infectious and can stimulate our audiences as well as inform them. In many cases, however, it is a reciprocal or mutualistic interaction. The enthusiasm of the audience, particularly children, can energize the presenter and the information and questions flowing from the audience are often incredibly stimulating. Compared to the often lifeless undergraduate classes in which what you say is dutifully accepted and written down, children are less inhibited and ask difficult questions! Their perspective on what you have presented also tells you a lot about how your message comes across and what aspects they find most interesting. What fascinates them is often surprising! Using some of the written and illustrated "facts" I have received from school children, I will explore how even grade one students can explore complex topics such as aerodynamics, hibernation, echolocation and life history evolution. While eliminating jargon and making science accessible to younger audiences is certainly a challenge, it is one technique we must embrace. No-one should feel their area of expertise is too complicated to do so.