science journalism workshop
TRANSCRIPT
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/