Like many great ideas, Project Bridge emerged

from confusion. Daniel Pham, a Ph.D. candidate

in neuroscience, was attempting to describe to his

partner the intricacies of his research on the nervous

system. After a few too many mixed metaphors,

Pham realized, “Maybe I don’t really do a good job

communicating my science.”

  The communication breakdown led Pham and

colleagues to found Project Bridge, “with the goal of getting scientists to communicate and connect with the public,” he says. The outreach program features talks and demonstrations by Johns Hopkins scientists in farmers markets, cafes and restaurants. In September, Project Bridge brought Baltimore BrainFest, a daylong neuroscience expo, to a city elementary school. “It’s a very grass-roots approach, getting bystanders to come by and having scientists in the community, explaining rudimentary topics,” Pham says.

  The welfare of the planet and its inhabitants depends on the public’s grasp of science, Pham says. People don’t believe in climate change or evolution in part because scientists aren’t effective communicators, he says. “One very small, simple way is for us to talk about our fields in an easy-to-understand manner.”