People use visualizations to make large-scale decisions, such as whether to evacuate a town before a hurricane strike, and more personal choices, such as which medical treatment to undergo. This talk illustrates how people process and visualize complex spatial and numerical information to improve science communication and science literacy. The research presented examines current science communication approaches and proposes new methods and educational materials that capitalize on human perception and decision-making. Dr. Padilla's research program uses applied behavioral studies to generate and test cognitive theories for how we make decisions with visualizations. This program of research provides visualization practitioners with a foundational conceptual framework to improve science communication and prepares students to become educated information consumers.