470pwrpt-lessonmodule1

1. SCIENCE NEWS
Credibility of Scientific Topics in the
Media

2. Lesson 1: Objective
 Scientific news can be found in almost any news
topic and science journalists use a variety of
methods to make the information more accessible
to the reader.
 In this module, students will learn how to recognize
science news and will learn about the role of a science
journalist.
Teacher’s Note: In this lesson, we will define science
news as broad coverage of any event or topic which
includes scientific data or requires explanation of
scientific processes to understand.

3. Where can we find science news? Many daily news topics
require at least some level of scientific knowledge to understand
basic concepts.
Natural Disasters – All major natural events are caused
Sports – sports by fluctuations in climate and tectonics
science; when
commentators break
down a golf
swing, they assess
elements of
physics, weather, &
kinesiology
Science and Medicine – the public relies on the media
to report new developments in medical treatment and
technologies and provide social and political contexts for  Next: Science Journalists…Who are

4. “Time for change in science journalism?”
- National Association of Science Writers
Click the link above and read the blog post. Science journalism
is not reported with the same immediacy or certainty as other
mainstream news topics. Studies can be unfinished or
unfounded and journalists must take scientists’ best
understanding and explanation of a study because that’s all
anyone really knows at the time.
Students: What would you do to change science
journalism for the better?

5. What is Science Journalism?
 http://www.nytimes.com/pages/science/index.html
 http://www.sciencenews.org/
 http://io9.com/
 http://www.sciencedaily.com/
 http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp
 http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/
What type of audience is each site trying to reach? Match the site
with the audience you think would find it most
interesting/helpful/accessible.
Age 10-19 Scientists
Age 20-29 Journalists
Age 30+ General Audience

6. Class Poll
Rank the previous sites on a political scale.
 (rank each site from 1 – 10, with 1 representing far left views and 10
representing far right)
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10
LEFT MODERATE
RIGHT
Which site appealed to you the most?
 (rank each site from 1 – 10, with 10 being your favorite)
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10

7. What role do scientists play in science
journalism?
The ability of journalists to report science news is directly reliant
on the scientific community to publish it. The press can be
manipulated by scientists who wish to trumpet their particular
subject of study, but the press can also manipulate scientists to
support media objectives. Both parties are responsible for
ensuring the accuracy and neutrality of science news.
 Read the abstract and introduction of this
report
 Reporting Science and Conflicts of Interest in the
Lay Press