Efficient communication to a non-scientific audience requires unique skills, as the author must ‘translate’ complex scientific findings in an understandable fashion for the public. This skillset is captured in popular science writing, a writing subdiscipline where scientifically literate authors attempt to communicate scientific principles and discoveries to the general public. The Microbiology Club undertook a project this semester wherein 10 undergraduate students wrote popular science articles describing the active research of 7 Miami faculty members in the Microbiology Department. Dr. David Smith, an accomplished popular science writer, spoke to the Microbiology Club about the value and techniques of popular science writing. The executive team of the club created the timeline, set of instructions, and format for this process, as well as served as editors for the student authors. Student authors began an intensive process of interviews, literature research, drafting, and multiple individualized check-ins to create a popular science article that described the research of their assigned professor. Ultimately, students were exposed to the common struggles of popular science writers such as summarizing complex topics, filtering through information, and creating original figures. Most importantly, students learned to overcome these struggles and create interesting, accessible articles describing complex research. These problem-solving and communication skills are vital for modern scientific careers, and impact the broader world by increasing public accessibility and trust in scientific findings. These articles will be used on the Microbiology Department website to describe faculty research for future students and website guests by May 1, 2021.
Authors: Braelyn Binkowski, Amber Blevins, Mackenzie Britton, Alex Chapman, Ben Nagle, Daria Perminova, Charlotte Sui, Connor Wasmund, Maddy Zimmerer
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Alan Strautman, Department of Microbiology
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