Abstract
Most countries have national programs to increase the public awareness and understanding of science. The assumption behind these programs is that a scientifically literate population will ultimately lead to a healthy and economically prosperous country. How do we know if these programs achieve their aims? Are they evaluated, and if so, what methods are used? This report looks at the way the Australian Science and Technology Awareness Program has been evaluated and comments on the limitations of the methods used. It proposes a simple five-point model for evaluation. The conclusion is that the credibility of programs designed to enhance the public communication of science and technology will be questioned and funding threatened unless science communicators devote more resources to evaluation. On May 30, 2001, the Science and Technology Awareness Program was replaced by the National Innovation Awareness Strategy, a body with similar responsibilities.
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