{"id":992,"date":"2009-04-07T19:14:48","date_gmt":"2009-04-07T23:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.flascience.org\/wp\/?p=992"},"modified":"2009-05-31T19:46:19","modified_gmt":"2009-05-31T23:46:19","slug":"clarification-of-stick-science-contest-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flascience.org\/?p=992","title":{"rendered":"Clarification of Stick Science contest rules"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’ve been getting some entries in our Stick Science Cartoon contest<\/a> that are, unfortunately, not touching on the reason for the contest: science education. Folks are submitting cartoons concerning basic reasoning skills or religion.<\/p>\n

Please make sure to read about the purpose of this contest:<\/p>\n

Public understanding of science<\/strong>, especially biology\/evolution, is horribly low. Folks who push antievolution efforts on local, state and national stages prey on that weakness.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

Besides the misuse of the word theory, antievolution efforts rely on false arguments such as gaps in the fossil record, the ever changing nature of science, and scientists being afraid of honest critical analysis.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

Your job is to create a cartoon that can be used to educate the general public and especially decision makers (state legislators, school board members) about the truth behind one false science<\/strong> argument.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This contest is not <\/strong>about bashing religion. It’s about promoting science understanding. Furthermore, this contest is not about making fun of creationists. We want you to help us correct misconceptions and false arguments used against science in a way that will educate, not ridicule<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

[edited to add] Yes, I know that a cartoon’s humor might come from making fun of something (or someone), but you can make fun of someone’s silly idea without making fun of their faith. And I also know that not everyone feels that way; however, educating the public about science<\/strong> through humor is the primary goal of this contest.<\/p>\n

What can you make fun of while trying to educate the public? How about:<\/p>\n