Lights! Camera! Science!

A Pew Research Center study released this week shows that Americans continue to view scientists and their work in a mostly favorable light.

However, scientists surveyed are increasingly glum about what they perceive to be a public with poor comprehension of scientific principle. Chief among the culprits, according to scientists, is a pervasive pattern of inaccuracy in broadcast media.

In light of findings that we're relying less on printed media in favor of electronic and broadcast media, the need for improved accuracy and clarity of explanation in the latter grows greater.

The Science & Entertainment Exchange, a program within the National Academy of Sciences, aims to bring entertainers, broadcasters and scientists together to meet this need. This collaboration of technical and creative talent focuses on portraying scientific topics accurately and as highly relevant to our lives.

The Exchange's website says "the portrayal of science ... has often posed a challenge to the entertainment community. Likewise, the scientific community has struggled to find an effective conduit through which it can communicate its story accurately and effectively."

Making available to media producers technical talent in a wide array of scientific fields, the Exchange exists to present accurate and helpful news of science.

Mr. Deville, science is ready for its close-up.

Photo courtesy of Science Museum, Yasmin F, via Flickr.