Science Writing

1. National Training of
Trainers for Campus
Journalism
SCIENCE WRITING (NEWS, FEATURE & EDITORIAL)

2. Julia Jasmine Sta Romana
Science and Technology/Lifestyle Contributor for GMA News Online
Freelance writer and virtual assistant
ICT Davao, member
www.gmanetwork.com/news/archives/authors/juliajasminemadrazostaromana
twitter.com/JuliaMStaRomana

3. Assessment

4. 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

5. Why is science writing important?
There is always wonder and
amazement to be had in
science, if you know where and
how to look
Science writing encourages students
to think critically

6. Science = Boring?

7. Science News
Basically news about science

10. Pig farmers on New Ireland are battling an insect plague which has
already killed more than 500 pigs on the island.
The insect, which is related to the horse fly, has already devastated
herds in Africa and South East Asia.
The new species called penetrens lugoles lays its eggs in pigs' ears.
When the eggs hatch, the maggots burrow into the animal's brain in
search of food.

11. Where can students get science news?
1. Science fair
2. School events
3. Local science community
4. Make the process of learning science newsworthy

12. Writing exercise
Write a piece of science news based on what happened in your school

13. Science feature
Human interest story that also looks into science

14. Write for your audience

15. Research, research, research

16. Simplify, but don’t dumb it down

17. Responsibilities of the editor
Stop/prevent
plagiarism
Ensure that the story is
comprehensible

20. What can student science journalists
feature?
What they see in media
Products they use
What affects them and their
communities directly
Their bodies

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

23. Science Editorial
a newspaper article written by or on behalf of an editor that gives an opinion on a science issue

24. 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

26. What issues in your community are
affected by science?

27. SAMPLE ARTICLES

33. Exercise
Write a science editorial

34. Bonus: Science Cartoon!
Cartoons are a great way to make learning science fun!

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

40. Thank you for participating!

41. 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/
http://www.nextnature.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/news_writing_inverted_pyramid.jpg

42. Julia Jasmine Sta Romana
Science and Technology/Lifestyle Contributor for GMA News Online
Freelance writer and virtual assistant
ICT Davao, member
www.gmanetwork.com/news/archives/authors/juliajasminemadrazostaromana
twitter.com/JuliaMStaRomana