the small science collective

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- CLICK on a zine cover below for downloadable PDF templates of the zine (standard 8.5" x 11" paper), and sample pages. Use and distribute freely and as you please!

- How do I fold these single sheet templates into mini-zines? How do I make them myself? Click HERE. (These instructions from "How to Make Books.")

- Would you like to contribute a science zine or pamphlet for possible addition to the site? Great! Submit the template as a PDF or a paper copy to smallsciencezines (at) gmail (dot) com

- ALSO, the Blog Sister Site for this project where you can get more information, leave comments and etc..

Mini Zines

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Science Tags - 1/4 page pamphlet zines that fit in the palm of your hand

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Current contributors include -

Josh Kurutz, Kate Hall, Christa Donner, Jeff Oishi, Lale Westvind, Hannah Israelsohn, Ben Seamons, Monte Smith, Scott Mihalik, Nick Jones, Heather Abiera, Jackie Martin, Catherine Mudd, Colleen Tuite, Maia Chong, Jessica Grate, Ryan McMurran, Hannah Somerville, Anne Moertel, Dominique Holmes and Andy Yang

Some Resources

Jay Hosler - biologist and cartoonist
Union of Concerned Scientists - scientific integrity editorial cartoon contest
Narrative Ink- resource on comics and small press/self publishing
Piled Higher and Deeper - cartoon about the science grad student experience
Chick tracts - religious propaganda of the highest order, in small cartoon format. Very interesting.
 

Who's knowledge is scientific knowledge?

Many say science is one of the most democratic forms of knowledge: experiments that anyone should be able to repeat, data that others are required to confirm, and results that are widely published.

At the same time, the gap between scientific, medical, & engineering specialists on the one hand, and the general public on the other, only continues to increase. As the privatization and patenting of scientific knowledge rapidly grows, overall scientific literacy continues to be very low, the topic of evolution being a prime example in the U.S. context.

It is easy to feel disempowered, believing that scientific knowledge is obscure, boring and simply not for them. As a result, we might dismiss the relevance of science in our lives, assuming only doctors, researchers and policy experts need to know all the facts, and so will do all of the thinking for us. Although sometimes enjoying the strangeness and weirdness of scientific discoveries, many of us don't seem to believe we could play any part in communicating and sharing science.

The Small Science Collective is about everyone, especially non~scientists and non~specialists, thinking about and sharing science through cheap and handy mini-zines. Contributions come from researchers, students, the science-curious (and hopefully you as well!) These zines and pamphlets are distributed in subways, benches, coffee shops, and any place someone might least expect them. Perhaps catching the attention of strangers who might what to learn something new about ants, spirals, food, or genetics?

Whatever else, it is at least something to read while you wait for the bus. Pick one up, print one out here, read it, and leave it somewhere random for some unsuspecting stranger to pick up and learn something new. The science is yours to share.

== Contact ===

Liberal Arts, 112 S. Michigan Building, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago IL, 60603 USA ayang[at]saic.edu / 312.345.3793