Exploring Science Communication of Global Issue and Suggesting its Implication in Science Education: The Cases about Nuclear Energy of Korea and Japan

The purpose of this study was to explore what kinds of science communication are ongoing in formal and informal settings for learning about nuclear energy, which is very important issue domestically and internationally. The researchers collected and analyzed data from science textbooks at elementary and middle school levels, from exhibitions in Y informal hall that belongs to one nuclear power plant, and from 40 bestselling books about nuclear energy in order to explore the kind of science communication. The same process was used to explore Japanese case so that we could compare the results with Korean cases and draw implications for enhancing science communication about nuclear energy. The science communication of nuclear energy in Korea included implicit and indirect content espoused in science textbooks; two opposite views displayed in bestselling books, and positive aspects mainly displayed in exhibition of information hall in nuclear power plant. It is suggested that both direct and explicit science communication along with the neutral viewpoints including positive and negative ones be provided for the public to form a good understanding of nuclear energy.