Communicate the Science#

Science doesn’t end when the data is collected or analyzed — in many ways, that’s just the beginning. Sharing what you’ve learned is essential to making a difference. Whether you’re giving a talk at your local library, posting on social media, or building a story map for your city government, the goal is the same: help others understand why your findings matter.

This chapter focuses on how to communicate science effectively — especially when your data comes from community observations, citizen science, and tools like GLOBE Observer. Good science communication makes technical information understandable, engaging, and actionable.

Why Communicate Science?#

Communicating science is about more than just presenting facts — it’s about connecting with people. Here’s why it matters:

  • Informs decision-making: Sharing your findings with local leaders, teachers, or residents can help guide real-world actions, like draining standing water to reduce mosquito risk.

  • Builds trust: Open communication helps people trust both the process and results of community science.

  • Encourages participation: When people see others presenting data and getting involved, they’re more likely to contribute themselves.

  • Creates change: When data is communicated clearly, it can inspire action — from policy to personal behavior.

What Makes Communication Effective?#

Good science communication is:

  • Accurate: Stick to what your data shows. Be honest about what you know and what you’re still figuring out.

  • Audience-aware: Tailor your message to who you’re talking to — a classroom of students, a town council, or neighbors on social media might each need a different approach.

  • Clear and jargon-free: Avoid technical terms when you can, or define them clearly if you need to use them.

  • Visual: Maps, graphs, photos, and drawings can make your data more accessible and powerful.

  • Personal: People respond to stories. Don’t just share your data — share your journey, your observations, and why the work matters to you.

Connecting Data to Storytelling#

Every dataset tells a story — the story of a place, a season, a change, or a risk. For example:

  • A mosquito habitat map could tell the story of how one neighborhood is taking steps to prevent disease.

  • A series of land cover photos could show how green spaces in a city have changed over time — and why that matters for heat, flooding, or biodiversity.

  • A student-led GLOBE project might highlight how youth are monitoring their community and taking environmental action.

Ask yourself:

  • What question did you try to answer?

  • What patterns did you see in your data?

  • Who might care about these findings?

  • What do you want them to know, feel, or do after hearing from you?

Tools to Help You Share#

Depending on your audience and goals, you can communicate your findings in different formats:

  • StoryMaps: Combine maps, text, images, and video to create an interactive digital story. Learn about ArcGIS StoryMaps.

  • Infographics: Simple, visual summaries of your findings. Tools like Canva or Piktochart can help you build your own.

  • Posters and zines: Great for libraries, community centers, or schools. Check out our EMERGE poster templates.

  • Social media posts: Quick and engaging — perfect for sharing key findings or photos from the field.

  • Presentations: Prepare short talks for events, classes, or community groups. See our “Data Camp” slide decks for inspiration.

Communicating with a Purpose#

Science communication doesn’t have to be fancy or technical. It just has to be thoughtful.

Ask yourself:

  • Who am I trying to reach?

  • What do I want them to understand or do?

  • What’s the best format to deliver this message?

In the next lessons, you’ll explore examples of public-facing science projects and learn how to create your own communication materials using data you’ve collected or analyzed during EMERGE.

Remember: Data becomes powerful when it’s shared.