INCORPORATING SCIENCE COMMUNICATION TRAINING INTO UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE COURSES THROUGH INTERACTIVE, EXPERIENTIAL MODULES

Science Communication (or “SciComm”) includes a diversity of practices and methods of conveying scientific ideas, research, and knowledge to non-expert audiences. In the face of growing public mistrust in science, it is increasingly important that scientists and trainees develop their SciComm skills. Beyond communication with the public, SciComm skills are increasingly necessary in our interconnected society, making excellent written and oral communication skills a baseline requirement for employment. Applicants who have such skills – and can explain complex topics in a simple, relatable, and understandable manner – have a competitive edge on the job market and can empower others to be inspired and/or take action. Additionally, a need and desire for SciComm training was identified nearly a decade ago as part of the EcoDAS XI program (Hundey et al., 2016, L&O Bulletin). With these ideas and recommendations in mind – alongside inspiration from a professional science media specialist – I have explicitly incorporated critical SciComm skills into both graduate- and undergraduate-level courses at UNCW. Initially, these activities formed the basis for an undergraduate Senior Seminar course focused on SciComm. However, over time I have transformed my weekly lesson plans into modules that could be modified for graduate students and/or ported into other courses a la carte. Here I present these SciComm modules and a structure for them that could comprise some or all of a training course for students in the aquatic sciences, as well as discuss student feedback and my own reflections.

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Primary Presenter: Bradley Tolar, University of North Carolina Wilmington (tolarb@uncw.edu)

Authors:

Bradley Tolar, University of North Carolina Wilmington  (tolarb@uncw.edu)