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• Date of publication Feb 11, 2026 Category: Practice Insight

  Three scientists walk into a bar... Approaching new audiences for informal science communication: the project “Plötzlich Wissen!” (Sudden Knowledge!)

  by Julia Schnetzer , André Lampe , Inga Marie Ramcke , Kerstin Kremer , Philipp Schrögel

  Sudden Knowledge! (Plötzlich Wissen!), a science communication format established through our own initiative as scientists, implemented science communication in a spontaneous conversational setting. It combined elements of guerilla science/street science, science busking and pub science events. Between 2017 and 2020 the project - centered on marine science - was presented in 16 major German cities. This novel approach, using puppetry and hands-on experiments sparked interest in science and reached non-academic audiences. During the COVID19-pandemic, the format transitioned to online livestreaming on the platform twitch.tv, using video games as entry points for conversations about marine sciences. Between 2020 and 2024 we performed 55 livestreams. Here we outline the development of the format, share evaluation data and our experiences. Our main goal is to provide practical recommendations for scientists who are interested in using informal, guerilla style approaches to reach audiences who might not be reached by traditional science communication strategies.

  Volume 25 • Issue 2 • 2026 • Science communication in Unexpected Places (Unexpected places)

• Date of publication Jul 16, 2025 Category: Practice Insight

  How can we enable school students to learn and participate in science engagement initiatives? Roles and tasks of enablers

  by Tim Kiessling , Claussen Christina , Kruse Katrin , Carolin Enzingmüller , Kerstin Kremer , Knickmeier Katrin , Sinja Dittmann , Hinrich Schulenburg , Ilka Parchmann

  Involving school students in authentic research beyond their school learning means creating participatory, out-of-school opportunities related to research processes, giving them a voice in the applied format of science engagement. Important for such endeavours is a group of people we identify as “enablers”. Based on insights from two long-term and large-scale science engagement initiatives in Germany (the Darwin Day science outreach and the Plastic Pirates citizen science program), we identified four principal work tasks of enablers. They are described as (i) aligning the needs, expectations and goals of involved participants, (ii) translating differing conceptions about science into shared visions, (iii) guiding the design of the initiative through educational theory, and (iv) evaluating the success of the out-of-school science engagement initiative. We further suggest that self-awareness of being an enabler, working at the interface of the research and education sphere, is an important prerequisite to successfully collaborate with participants.

  Volume 24 • Issue 04 • 2025