I was in Toronto over the weekend attending the world’s first Scibarcamp. It was basically a smaller (120 people), more local and intimate version of Scifoo but equally as diverse in attendees (scientists, writers, artists, technologists, business) and in topics discussed (science 2.0; science and art; can technology make us happy?).

Eva Amsen, a NN blogger, was one of the organizers and she led a mini-session called “10 things everyone should know about science.” She asked conference-goers to write down their ideas for what everyone should know about science on some bristol board.

Here are some of my favorites:

The key ingredients are intuition and imagination.

Evolution

Observations, like opinions, are based on your frame of reference.

“Theory”, “believe”, “random” and a few other words are used differently by scientists than by the general public.

Science is a human activity. Take from that what you will.

Science is based on testable hypotheses and replication.

It’s the only way to truth and understanding.

There is a lot of uncertainty in science—and that’s ok. (that was mine)

And my favorite favorite:

Science doesn’t have to be difficult, complicated, elite or engendered.

What would you write on this bristol board?

(This has already been a topic of conversation among other bloggers, including Larry Moran, Chad Orzel and Chet Raymo.)