Scientoons: Enjoy science with fun
by
Dr. Pradeep Srivastava
"Outstanding Young Person of the Year" by Junior Chamber International (USA)
Abstract:
Scientoons are cartoons based on science. They not only make you smile and laugh but also provide information about new researchers, subjects and data in a simple, understandable and though provoking way. Scientoonics is a new branch of science that deals with effective science communication by using these novel scientoons.
The name 'Scientoons' was coined by Dr. Pradeep Srivastava while he was delivering a lecture in 1988, and since then, scientoons have received great international recognition. WHO has appreciated AIDS education and awareness through scientoons. UNESCO has initiated a project based on Scientoons and showed interest to collaborate for exhibits, seminars etc. International Council of Science Collaboration (ICSU) have planned to use scientoons for creating public awareness in Africa in a eight year long program. In a nutshell, scientoons are path breaking in terms of science communication and creating awareness about scientific, environmental and other topics, and they have even been included in course curriculum in some universities and that of Indian Science Communication Society's Science Journalism course.
About the speaker:
Dr. Pradeep Srivastava is Senior Scientist in Medicinal & Process Chemistry Division at Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow. He developed the field of scientoonics while delivering a lecture in 1988 in an Asian conference at NUS, Singapore. He has delivered more than 660 lectures all across the world on Scientoons on topics such as environmental pollution and its impact on human health, development of drugs, waste management, biodiversity, water conservation, nanotechnology etc. He was awarded as the International Young Person of the Year by Junior Chambers Association (USA) - this award is given to 10 persons across the world annually. Singapore based magazine "The Young Scientist" having a readership of more than 1,00,000, named him as the International Brand Ambassador in 2007. He was invited by Royal Swedish Academy and Swedish National Academy on Science and Technology (which awards Nobel Prize in Chemistry) to present a paper on Scientoons in 32nd IUPAC Congress held at Stockholm. European Science festival 2008 also had a session on scientoonics. UNEP (United Nations Environment Panel) has published report on scientoon in its Asia-Pacific News Letter. He is also in the expert panel of DST (Department of Science and Technology), India to conduct Science Journalism workshops all across India.
September 19, 2009 (Saturday), L2, 5:00 pm
Let's enjoy and learn science!
Please note: The Scientoons Comic Design Contest does not hold any points.