Choose to be Curious Ep. #231: The Moore Foundation's Curiosity-Driven Science Initiative, with Janet Coffey
May 16, 2024
Janet Coffey, Ph.D., leads the Moore Foundation's Curiosity-Driven Science Initiative, focusing on enhancing public engagement with science. She shares insights on how transformative experiences, like solar eclipses, foster community connections and spark curiosity. The discussion highlights innovative funding practices that support curiosity-driven science and environmental conservation. Listeners are encouraged to partake in the dialogue by crafting their own metaphors for curiosity, making the conversation both engaging and participatory.
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Lynn's Two Eclipse Stories
- Lynn Borton shares two eclipse experiences: a spontaneous trip in 2017 and a local viewing in 2024.
- Both experiences captured wonder, curiosity, and connections among people, illustrating public engagement with science.
Janet's Eclipse Sharing Experience
- Janet Coffey traveled to Salem, Oregon for the 2017 eclipse and found it life-changing.
- In 2024, without traveling, she shared eclipse glasses locally, seeing excitement and curiosity blossom among people.
Curiosity Needs Cultivation
- Curiosity is innate but often diminishes due to traditional science education focusing on facts.
- Supporting curiosity helps cultivate open-minded, confident people who appreciate science and use evidence in decision-making.
