Crastina is a platform for the exchange of experience, knowledge and inspiration regarding both scientific peer-to-peer communication and science dissemination

  • What? An international network of (mostly young) people who love to communicate science & tech.
  • Why? We think science needs to be communicated with more passion and professionalism.
  • Where? On our website with interviews & resources + on social media + on Skype and IRL.
  • Who? A content group (the Crew), a think tank (the Academy), + lots of friends & contacts.
  • When? Right now – as a matter of fact, we’ve just geared up.

Base Graphics in R: A Detailed Idiot’s Guide

The programming language R is great for data visualization: users have a total control of all graph features, plots can be easily modified or replicated, and the active developers community keeps improving and developing new graphic packages.…

Labster – enhancing science learning with VR and gamification

Under any definition, we think that laboratory simulations are a great way of bringing science closer to people. ‘Presence’ has been described as a crucial element for motivation and engagement, and simulations intrinsically enhance the aspect of “I feel that I am there”, especially if they are combined with virtual reality technologies. In the particular case of our simulations, even if they are specifically created as teaching tools, in addition to the immersive experience, they are built around real life stories and are meant to be engaging. With the gamification components they are also good tools for science communication at some level.

Why scientists should mentor highschool students (Philip Frick, August 2016)

”Most of the mentors say that they never thought they would benefit from the experience as much as they did.” says Philip Frick, tech student and creator of Rays. This Swedish summer research school for talented students serves to gap between the world of research and curious and talented teenagers.

Our current theme: “SciComm in Africa”

Pearl Osirike: “The beginning of a new era: science communication in Africa”

A Crastina Column by Pearl Osirike, Ph.D. student at West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana.

Read the Crastina Column

This time, we will learn more about SciComm activities emerging from a geographical area which is often overlooked in the general discussion about science and its communication: Africa.

On the one hand, it is true that African academia has to cope with persistent challenges like poor funding, inadequate infrastructure, staff shortages and recruitment problems. The everyday struggle of experimental scientists is hard to imagine for those who work in labs in Europe and North America. For example, the difficulty of transporting tissue samples and biomolecules sometimes add weeks and months to projects – parcels are lost, frozen samples become thawed and are ruined on the way, et cetera.

On the other hand, anyone who studies the websites of African universities and research institutes will be met by an impressing vitality and optimism. Innumerous projects are ongoing across this vast continent, and many of them include SciComm activities which all provide a lesson for anyone ready to read, ask and reflect.

We have rarely felt such anticipation when initiating a theme here at Crastina; we are confident that we all – authors and readers have much – to learn.

For The Crastina Crew

Olle Bergman, Project Leader

Crastina Content

Guest Bloggers

Guest posts

Guest posts from good friends in the Crastina network. Please make sure to check out their activities.