Between Gary Larson’s Far Side images of nerdy-looking men and women in lab coats, and the well-manicured technicians of CSI:  Las Vegas, the public perception of scientists and their workplaces is more than a tad suspect.

With the goal of correcting some of these misconceptions, a group of researchers and teachers based at UC Berkeley recently released a website called Understanding Science.  This site is designed to explain both the methods of science and its role in our world.  Topics range from the common goals and approaches that scientists take in their research, to the relevance of science in society.   (more…)