2 December 2013

The Gift of Science Communication

Posted by Olivia Ambrogio

By Olivia V. Ambrogio

National Parks bookstore. U.S. National Park Service photo by Reine Wonite.

National Parks bookstore. U.S. National Park Service photo by Reine Wonite.

The holiday season of giving and receiving has come upon us, and many of us are making lists—of what to give others and what we hope others will give us. (I don’t know about you, but I find a “defensive list” of things I’d like to receive works well to stave off surprise presents of ugly sweaters or yet another snail-related item [long story].)

This year, why not give the science communicators in your life something that speaks to their passion for sharing science?

In case you don’t know where to start, here are some suggestions:

  • Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath
  • Don’t Be Such a Scientist by Randy Olson
  • The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2013 edited by Siddhartha Mukherjee and Tim Folger
  • The Best American Infographics 2013 edited by Gareth Cook and David Byrne

Everyone’s taste is different, so make sure you read up on these suggested presents before getting (or asking for) them—but consider them a starting point for your own ideas. After all, what better way to say “I love you” that with the gift of science communication?

What would you add to this list?