science journalism workshop

National Training of Trainers for Campus Journalism

Science Writing (News, Feature & Editorial)

Julia Jasmine Sta Romana

• Science and Technology/Lifestyle Contributor for GMA News Online

• Freelance writer and virtual assistant

• ICT Davao, member

Assessment

• (please add image Jan =) )

What is science writing?

Writing about scientific subject matter, often in a non-technical manner for an audience of non-scientists

http://grammar.about.com/od/rs/g/Science-Writing-term.htm

Science News

Basically news about science

Where can students get science news?

• Science fair

• School events

• Local science community

• Make the process of learning science newsworthy

Writing exercise

Write a piece of science news based on what happened in your school

Science feature

Human interest story that also looks into science

Write for your audience

Research, research, research

Simplify, but don’t dumb it down

Responsibilities of the editor

• Stop/prevent plagiarism

• Ensure that the story is comprehensible

What can student science journalists feature?

• (jan, can you put in pictures of what kids are into nowadays?

Exercise

• Write a science feature on something you or your students are naturally interested in.

Science Editorial

• a newspaper article written by or on behalf of an editor that gives an opinion on a science issue

Science Editorials

• Focus on the facts

• Analysis of the issue must be based on scientific facts and following the scientific method

• Assumptions raised must be based on solid logic and following the scientific method

What issues in your community are affected by science?• (jan, please put in images of weather, health, food, etc)

Exercise

Write a science editorial

Bonus: Science Cartoon!

Cartoons are a great way to make learning science fun!

Fun Exercise: 1 panel science comic based on geeky pick-up lines

Thank you for participating!

Resources• http://www.wfsj.org/course/index-e.html

• http://boredomtherapy.com/nerd-science-jokes/

• http://xkcd.com/

• http://www.scidev.net/global/biotechnology/news/citizen-scientists-pitch-new-uses-for-paper-microscope.html

• http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/401385/scitech/science/us-backed-uplb-graduate-program-focused-on-marine-biodiversity

• http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/293017/scitech/science/food-for-thought-adobo-and-the-filipino-genome

• http://mypocketshurt90.tumblr.com/post/27495622491/i-sent-this-paper-to-jk-rowling-explaining-how-the

• http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/09/guardian-view-on-ebola-fighting-fear-as-well-as-infection

• http://www.beatricebiologist.com/