Ideas to inspire!
We encourage Young Investigators’ to submit impactful science outreach ideas that reflect passion, creativity and impact to broader society in India. This can include in-person events and programs, as well as online resources, virtual programs and databases. While the mandate of the IOG is broad, we strongly encourage outreach programs and resources that focus on current national challenges such as sustainable solutions, biodiversity and conservation, contemporary science education, specific less-addressed health concerns, to name a few. Further, we encourage outreach to be catered to a wide range of stakeholders such as underserved communities and peripheral parts of the country. The outreach can be carried out in regional Indian languages or English.
The disseminated material should carry the IndiaBioscience logo, adhere to branding guidelines, and would be copyright of IndiaBioscience under the Creative Commons license. The material would be not-for-profit and should not be commercialized, for the duration of the grant period.
Below is a subset of thematic areas to help you get started: Note: These are only suggestions and are not meant to be an exhaustive list. We strongly encourage novel and diverse ideas.
Science outreach for health
Cartoons and infographics on topics of relevance to health — including less-addressed areas such as mental health, genetic disorders, malnutrition, childhood obesity, etc.
Support groups for disease awareness, information, advocacy, de-stigmatization, including but not limited to rare diseases, mental health, genetic disorders, etc.
Science outreach for national and global challenges
Building resources and tools for awareness and solutions towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Facilitating local communities to take part in crowd-sourced scientific projects, including conservation, biodiversity, sustainable climate change solutions, etc.
Science outreach for rural and tribal communities
In-person discussions and/or resource materials in local and regional languages on scientific issues and solutions, and combating scientific misinformation in rural and tribal communities
Showcasing the value of science education to members of rural and tribal communities
Information on science careers for students and young adults in rural and tribal communities
Science outreach to facilitate the scientific and research community
Re-invent networking for scientists using digital platforms
Ideas to improve diversity, inclusion, and equity in scientific communities, with a focus on enhancing visibility of underserved groups and communities
Improved local and open sharing of scientific ideas and resources across the scientific community.
Additional reading:
Open Chemistry: What if we just give everything away? (2021)
Science outreach for the documentation of science
Innovative approaches to showcase achievements in Indian science and their role in nation building (exhibits, posters, online interactive platforms, virtual museums)
Approaches to highlight the history of science — stories behind specific discoveries and how they were made, etc.
Materials or approaches to highlight the roles and contributions of under-represented or under-served individuals or communities in science
Science outreach events
One-day science fairs or festivals conducted for school and college students, curious adults, public at large
Short in-person demonstrations, tinkering labs, hands-on activities for school and college students, curious adults, public at large
Additional reading:
STEM Outreach Using In-House and Mobile Demonstrations (2018)
Science outreach for K‑12 students
Explainer science websites, videos and virtual labs for school students and curious adults
Engaging the public with at-home experiments — output could be in the form of a short movie or a popular book
Setting up e‑coloring books for primary school students with basic life science concepts
Hosting regular podcasts or webinars or discuss/share relevant scientific principles and advances
Interactive in-person or virtual sessions for the public to interact with scientists etc.
Additional reading:
A pedagogical approach to science outreach (2020)
Joyful Microbe (Accessed in March 2023)
IndiaAsksWhy: A Science Podcast for Young Minds! (Accessed in March 2023)
Brains On! Universe (Accessed in March 2023)
Talk To A Scientist (Accessed in March 2023)
HANDS-ON SCIENCE E‑BOOK,Talk To A Scientist (Accessed in March 2023)
Science Educational Outreach Programs That Benefit Students and Scientists (2016)
I’m a Scientist (Accessed in March 2023)
Skype a Scientist (Accessed in March 2023)
Science outreach for adults and special groups
Approaches to counter scientific misinformation, myths, superstitions in society, using popular tools such as Whatsapp
Fun science outreach for retired age groups, ex-service personnel, alumni associations, with in-person scientist talks (science behind cheese-making, science of idlis, science behind hand sanitizer)
Scientist-led day trips to local science incubation parks to observe product-driven scientific research, etc.
Science materials for persons with special needs, using materials with tactile, auditory and visual modifications for engagement
Additional reading:
Science outreach via unique approaches
Public engagement of science via unique approaches such as art, music, dance, theater, stand-up comedy, poetry, street plays, memes, photography, handicrafts, etc.
Lord of the Rings – quoting performance wins this year’s ‘Dance Your Ph.D.’ contest (2023)
Talk with teachers: Blurring boundaries between arts and sciences (2022)
For more resources related to science outreach, click here.
Additional reading:
Making Science Outreach Inclusive: Beyond Standard Paradigms (2020)
Science Outreach Is Great but Scientists Must Consider Who They’re Reaching (2018)
Previous IOG Awardees:
Projects that have been successfully funded by the IOG program can be found here: IOG 2020, IOG 2021, IOG 2022 and IOG 2023.
