From the blogosphere to Silicon Valley and back, technology impacts both the way we write and the topics we can cover as science writers. In a session called "Geeks, Freaks and Deadlines: Writing about Technology and the Humans Who Love It" at ScienceWriters 2008 in October in Palo Alto, panelists advised, admonished and cajoled the science writing audience to be creative in their use of technology — as both topic and medium.
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First, use a tripod. That was Melissa Lutz Blouin's take-home message about making video, which she delivered during a session on the topic at ScienceWriters 2008 in October in Palo Alto. "Your production values shoot up!" she exclaimed. The cost barriers for video have dropped from the days of $60,000 shoulder-mounted film cameras, but as anyone who has shot with today's $2,000 cameras knows, there is more to getting a professional result than just using professional equipment.
The buzz of enthusiasm began early for the "Building the Freelance Business You Want" session at ScienceWriters 2008 in October in Palo Alto. Participants had good reason to be excited.
In the fall of 2007, the research nuclear reactor at Penn State University, one of the oldest in the country, started slowly losing water from its cooling pool. Protocol required safety personnel to report the leak to the nuclear regulatory committee, which meant that the news would soon be made public on the NRC website.
Handouts from the session (NASW members only)
Science writing for kids is a diverse field, teeming with opportunities for freelancers. That was the theme of "Science Writing for Kids: Skills and Markets," one of the workshops held during ScienceWriters 2008 in October in Palo Alto. A panel of editors of science publications aimed at young people offered advice on pitching to their publications, as well as general advise on writing for this audience.
"Pitching a story is part art, part science, part intuition — and a lot of luck," Lisa Rossi told the more than 40 attendees at "PIO Pitch Slam: Packaging, Delivering ... and Placing the Story," one of the workshops held during ScienceWriters 2008 in October at Palo Alto. Rossi, director, of communications and external relations for the Microbicide Trials Network at the University of Pittsburgh, co-organized the session with Karen Kreeger, senior science communications manger at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. The workshop featured tips for public information officers who pitch to newspapers, magazines and electronic media.
As the panelists convened for the session on social media, it was only fitting that two NASW graduate fellows were already seated in the second row twittering away. But the question on the minds of many in the room was: Are these new tools a revolutionary way to communicate, or are they just a distraction?
Physics can help NASCAR fans understand why their favorite racecar driver lost. Carbon-dating can help history buffs unearth forgeries. According to panelists at ScienceWriters 2008 held Oct. 24-28 in Palo Alto, Calif., it takes only a fresh eye to find applications of science in activities such as these and other everyday happenings.
I once did part of a workshop on "Communicating University Research" for college and university PIOs and media relations people. The first thing I did was give a pop quiz. I asked three basic questions: (1) name a peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes articles about science communication, (2) name a researcher who writes about communication issues in science and technology, and (3) describe a recent article you read about research in science communication or science journalism. The class failed — miserably.