Showcasing Stories of Scientists and the Scientific Process with NASA's Universe of Learning

Improving public engagement with science is essential for building trust in research, fostering critical evaluation of information, and inspiring interest in STEM careers. Those without formal scientific backgrounds interact with data and scientific concepts regularly, making it all the more important to cultivate this trust. Learners should, in particular, recognize that seemingly abstract scientific laws and theories have been developed by real people with everyday lives who have dedicated themselves to research and discovery. This allows them to see themselves reflected in these fields and sparks interest. Additionally, the scientific process is a complicated cycle of questioning, hypothesizing, analyzing evidence, and revising ideas based on data. By breaking down its complicated nature, we can enable general audiences to see science as more than just isolated numbers or a simple linear process. Towards these goals, NASA's Universe of Learning is developing audio stories to highlight the scientific process and the people behind it. These stories explore the human side of astronomy–how we learn about the universe today. In one narrative, we discuss cosmological surveys to answer questions such as "How do we learn about the universe's beginning and evolution?" and "What is dark matter and how do we study it?" In another story, we interview Gemini Observatory's Chief Scientist on topics such as stellar classification and formation, and what it's like designing and running an observatory. We present an overview of this project, with emphasis on the importance of sharing stories of those involved in the scientific process. This presentation is based on work performed as part of NASA's Universe of Learning project and is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AC65A. This project received Federal support from the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum.