 Price$100 |  Duration1 hour |  DeliveryOnline |  StartsAnytime |
About this course
Learn how to communicate Antarctic science in ways that inform, engage and inspire others. The course explores how to turn complex scientific ideas into clear, compelling stories without losing the evidence, and context that makes science meaningful.
This comprehensive short course is part of the Antarctic Insights Course Series, an educational partnership between HX and the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). It is designed for scientists sharing their research, educators introducing students to Antarctica, travellers who want to share their experiences, and anyone who wants to communicate reliable information. This course stands alone, so no prior HX | UTAS study is required.
The course is organised into five short parts covering social media, visual storytelling, constructive conversations about complex topics such as climate change, and engaging children and young people. It also encourages you to think carefully about the messages you share and the sources you trust. Where a topic is covered in more depth elsewhere, you will be directed to the relevant companion course.
The course takes around one hour to complete. By taking this course, you are helping to fund the next generation of Antarctic researchers. A portion of your enrolment supports travel grants that enable researchers to reach departure ports, join HX expedition vessels and conduct new research, contributing to Antarctica's future as a continent for peace and science.
Course Structure
Learn the principles of effective science communication, and how to make complex information accessible without oversimplifying it.
This part explores how to identify your audience, purpose and central message, using Antarctic examples, including penguins, to show how scientific ideas can be communicated clearly and engagingly.
Explore the opportunities and challenges of communicating Antarctic science online.
This part covers how to assess information sources, question misleading claims and images, and share scientific content responsibly in a fast-moving digital environment.
Discover how stories, photographs and other visual approaches help people connect with scientific ideas.
This part covers how to choose appropriate formats and create engaging messages while preserving the evidence and context behind the science.
Learn how to approach challenging conversations about complex issues, including climate change.
This part explores how listening, asking questions and understanding different perspectives can make conversations about Antarctic science more constructive.
Discover ways to introduce younger audiences to Antarctica and its science.
This part explores how to make learning engaging and relevant, encourage curiosity and help children and young people develop a lasting interest in the far south.
What you will learn
Learn how scientific knowledge can be shared in ways that inform, engage and connect with different audiences, and how science communication helps people understand complex ideas and engage with issues affecting Antarctica and the wider world.
You can work through the five parts at your own pace, in one sitting or one part at a time. The course includes a glossary to help you understand specialist terminology, and a quiz that allows you to test your understanding. Completing the quiz with a score of 50% or higher makes you eligible for a Certificate of Completion, and you can attempt the quiz as many times as you like.
You can also combine this course with others in the Antarctic short course series to build your own bespoke Antarctic learning journey.
Interested in further study?
Expand your Antarctic knowledge with our Antarctic Insights Course Series.