Science Writing and New Media: Explorations in Communicating about Science & Technology

Readings

SES #	TOPICS	READINGS
1	Course overview & introductory questionnaire	Semper, Robert J. “Science Museums as Environments for Learning.” Physics Today 43, 11, 50 (1990).
2	Background on Assignment #1 Discuss article on science museum	Three science musuem reviews: Parker, Kate. “From Chalk Pit to Treasure Trove.” IEE Review, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 159–160, July 15, 1999. Rothstein, Edward. “Opening the Doors to the Life of Pi: Museum of Mathematics at Madison Square Park.” The New York Times. December 13, 2012. The Museumist. “Exhibit Review: Harry Potter, at the Museum of Science and Industry.” July 15, 2009.
3	Elements of critical review writing: Purpose, audience, content, structure and style Discuss science museum reviews	Three science book reviews: Pinker, Steven. “The Known World.” The New York Times. May 27, 2007. Eisenkraft, Arthur. “Book Review: Guesstimation: Solving the World’s Problems on the Back of a Cocktail Napkin.” American Journal of Physics 76, 887 (2008). Bloch, Heinz P. “Book Review: Operator’s Guide to Centrifugal Pumps.” Journal of Chemical Engineering, vol. 116, no. 3 (2009).
4	In-class workshop on museum review assignment in progress: Clarifying the purpose and audience of your review Establishing the framework and focus Organizing your main ideas	No assigned readings
5	Examining other kinds of critical reviews in science Discuss science book reviews	No assigned readings
6	Background on Assignments #2 and #3	No assigned readings
7	General principles for writing about science for the general public: A mathematician’s perspective	Gawande, Atul. “The Cancer-Cluster Myth.” The New Yorker. February 8, 1999.
8	Researching your topic	Campbell, Thomas A., Skylar Tibbits and Banning Garrett. “The Programmable World.” Scientific American 311, no. 5 (2014): 60-65.
9	Discuss science essay	No assigned readings
10	Discuss science essay	Greene, Geoffrey L. and Peter Geltenbort. “The Neutron Enigma.” Scientific American 314, no. 4 (2016): 36-41.
11	Using source material in your writing	No assigned readings
12	Discuss science essay	No assigned readings
13	Citing source material	No assigned readings
14	Illustrations in scientific & technical writing	No assigned readings
15	Writing workshop on science essays	No assigned readings
16	Background on Assignment #4	No assigned readings
17	Topic workshop	No assigned readings
18	Absracts & Budgets	No assigned readings
19	Writing workshop: Reviewing proposals	No assigned readings
20	Workshop on communicating through email	No assigned readings
21	Principles of effective public speaking	No assigned readings
22–25	Oral Presentations	No assigned readings