This document discusses the role of science journalism and covers several topics: 1) It defines science news as coverage of any event or topic that includes scientific data or requires explanation of scientific processes. 2) It provides examples of science news in different topics like sports science, natural disasters, and medicine. 3) It explores the different audiences that various science news sites aim to reach, such as children, general audiences, scientists, etc. 4) It discusses the relationship between scientists and journalists in reporting science news and ensuring accuracy.

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. “Time for change in science journalism?”
- National Association of Science Writers
What is a science journalist? 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?

4. Sports Science

5. Sports Science
 When commentators break down a golf swing or a
baseball double play, they assess elements of physics,
kinesiology, weather and all sports stats require math
comprehension to understand
 View the following and then complete the next slides with these links in
mind:
 ESPN Sports Science – Video: Surface Tension
 ScienceDaily.com – Football Analysis Leads to Advance in Artificial
Intelligence
 Washington Post – Are Athletes Ahead of the Science…
 Exploratorium – Reaction Time

6. What is Science Journalism? Who reads it?
All of the above links were examples of sports science and science news.
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.
Children (ages 5-17)
Young Adults/General Audience (ages 18-55)
Retired/Elderly (55+)
Scientists
Journalists
Parents
Government

7. 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

8. Natural Disasters

9. Natural Disasters
 All major natural disasters are caused by fluctuations in
climate and tectonics in different geographic locations.
These events are always newsworthy because they can
affect a large range of people and locations with
sometimes devastating consequences
 View the following and then complete the next slides with these
links in mind
 National Geographic – Photo Gallery: Hurricanes
 Science.gov – Earthquakes, Floods and other Natural
Disasters
 Discover Magazine – A Shock to the Heartland

10. What is Science Journalism? Who reads it?
All of the above links were examples of natural disasters and environmental
science news. 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.
Children (ages 5-17)
Young Adults/General Audience (ages 18-55)
Retired/Elderly (55+)
Scientists
Journalists
Parents
Government

11. 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

12. Science and Medicine

13. Science and Medicine
 The public relies on the media to report new
developments in medical treatments and
technologies and provide social and political
contexts for both
 View the following and then complete the next slides
with these links in mind
 ScienceDaily.com – SuperBacteria
 WebMD – Getting Your Teeth Cleaned
 WoodTV – Adderall Shortage
 KidsHealth.org - Flu

14. What is Science Journalism? Who reads it?
All of the above links were examples of science and medicine news. 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.
Children (ages 5-17)
Young Adults/General Audience (ages 18-55)
Retired/Elderly (55+)
Scientists
Journalists
Parents
Government

15. 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

16. 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