Cognitive analysis of earthquake science popularization among undergraduates of normal universities in Yunnan

Since 1900, 415 earthquakes of M≥5 and 13 earthquakes of M≥7 have occurred in Yunnan Province, which are extremely serious earthquake disasters. Yunnan Province is characterized by large topography, complex and diverse topography, consisting mostly of plateaus and deep canyons, and is a multi-ethnic border area. These factors hinder earthquake emergency rescue and postdisaster reconstruction. Normal university students who will be the teachers of the future are not only the audiences but also the promoters and implementers of earthquake science popularization education activities. Popular science cognition is of great significance for carrying out regional earthquake popular science education, promoting the awareness of earthquake prevention and disaster reduction of the public, and promoting the construction of livable and suitable homes. The responses to 923 questionnaires on earthquake science popularization among normal undergraduates were analyzed in detail. The results show that normal university students in Yunnan Province generally have a low awareness of science popularization, minimal knowledge of earthquake science, and a low cognition level. As such, the science popularization training and earthquake science popularization education of normal university students in Yunnan Province should be integrated from the following aspects: Clarifying subject status and strengthening “three life education”; Improving school-community collaboration to educate people and strengthen disaster awareness; Using STEAM to integrate science popularization and increase science popularization literacy.