#171: Designing Comic Cons for Scientific Literacy and Sustained Engagement

Preparing scientifically literate individuals who can use science in their day-to-day lives is an important mission for science educators. Research and interventions in service of this often emphasize practical applications in formal settings. However, we argue that informal, adult-focused science events at comic cons offer potential as a venue for cultivating scientific literacy. Promoting scientific literacy in these contexts requires balancing the need for designs that support focused learning goals without detracting from attendees’ personal enjoyment, impeding science identity development, or snuffing out emerging interest in science. Here we present a design conjecture aimed at balancing these competing concerns.