popularscience

Popular science is the practice and product of communicating scientific ideas to a general audience. It aims to increase scientific literacy, stimulate curiosity, and show how science relates to daily life. Methods include clear prose, analogies, visuals, and storytelling across media such as magazines, websites, television, videos, and podcasts. Content typically covers basic principles in physics, biology, astronomy, and environmental science, as well as technology, health, and science policy; it often includes explainers, experiments, history features, and product reviews.

History and media: The rise of mass literacy and modern journalism in the 19th and 20th centuries contributed to the growth of popular science as a distinct niche within science communication. The field includes both scholarly outreach and consumer-oriented outlets. One well-known brand is Popular Science (often abbreviated PopSci), a long-running American periodical that began as a general science monthly and evolved into a digital-first platform offering news, explainers, and consumer-technology reporting for a broad readership.

Impact and reception: Popular science plays a significant role in public understanding of science, education, and policy discussion. Proponents argue it lowers barriers to complex ideas; critics caution that simplification can omit nuance or promote sensationalism. Reputable outlets strive for accuracy, context, and transparency about uncertainties.

See also: Science communication; Popular science magazines.