Science Communication (IPS*3000)
Code and section: IPS*3000*01
Term: Fall 2019
Instructor: Joanne O'Meara
Details
Calendar Description
This course focuses on developing the skills required to communicate science for non-specialist audiences. The principles and practices of public speaking and writing will be explored, employing a variety of media. Through multiple oral and written assignments, students will explore tailoring their message for various audience-types.
Pre-Requisites: 2.00 credits in PHYS at the 2000 level or higher
Restrictions: PHYS*4300
Course Description
This course focuses on developing the skills required to communicate science for non-specialist audiences. The principles and practices of public speaking and writing will be explored, employing a variety of media. Through multiple oral and written assignments, students will explore tailoring their message for various audience-types.
Timetable
Lectures
Laboratories
See the semester schedule below for more details – there will not be laboratories every week.
Instructional Support
Instructor: Joanne O’Meara
Office: MacN 323
Extension: 53987
Email: omeara@uoguelph.ca
Teaching Assistant: Samantha Buck
Office: MacN 401
Email: sbuck@uoguelph.ca
Extension: 53840
Course Objectives
- to become familiar with the literature in a focused area of interest
- to improve analysis skills through critical reading of research or popular literature
- to practice and improve oral presentation skills, tailored to a specific audience
- to practice and improve written communication skills, tailored to a specific audience
- to work collaboratively and constructively in a group to incorporate presenting and writing skills in a science communications project
Evaluation
Assessment | % of Final Grade |
---|---|
Classroom engagement | 15% |
Speaking assignments | 25% |
Writing assignments | 20% |
Final Project | 40% |
Classroom Engagement (15% of final mark)
Speaking Assignments (25% of final mark)
- Informal 3 minute presentations of your chosen topic – 5%
- Podcast (paired assignment) – 10%
- Video explanations (paired assignment) – 10%
Writing Assignments (20% of final mark)
- Written pitch for a story in Science Corner for the Guelph Mercury-Tribune
(400 - 500 words) – 5% - Full story for Science Corner (Guelph Mercury-Tribune)
(750 words) – 15%
Group Project (40% of final mark)
NOTE: 5% of your grade on this project will come from the timely submission of a clearly laid out proposal, with all group members identified. The proposal is due at the end of the laboratory session on Monday Oct 7th.
Course Policy on Group Work:
Proposed Schedule
Week | In-Class Sessions (McKN 232) | Laborartory Sessions (MacN 415) | Assignments/Deadlines |
---|---|---|---|
1 (Sept 9-13) | Tuesday Sept 10 & Thursday Sept 12 Introductions, course structure, general discussion of the goals of science communication. |
Monday Sept 9 No lab this week |
See Courselink for any required viewings/readings before class. |
2 (Sept 16-20) | Tuesday Sept 17 & Thursday Sept 19 The Art of Presenting |
Monday Sept 16 Field trip! 3:30 to 4:30 pm at the Guelph Civic Museum … more details in class. |
Have an idea of a topic and your target audience for your presentation in week 3 for our in-class activities this week. (You will have the chance to practice.) See Courselink for any required viewings before class. |
3 (Sept 23-27) | Presenting exercise #1 Informal 3 minute presentations of your chosen topic for your specified target audience (half the class will present on Tuesday, half the class will present on Thursday) |
Monday Sept 23 No lab this week |
This exercise is worth 5% of your final grade. |
4 (Sept 30-Oct 4) |
Tuesday Oct 1
Storyboarding, scripting, podcasting workshop
- Jacqueline Kreller-Vanderkooy from the Digital Media Lab in the library
Thursday Oct 3
Podcasting
|
Monday Sept 30
- organize into groups
- choose topic/grade level for theme
- brainstorm ideas for hands-on interactive displays for visiting elementary school students
|
|
5 (Oct 7-11) |
Tuesday Oct 8
Video production workshop
- Jacqueline Kreller-Vanderkooy
Thursday Oct 10
Video production
|
Monday Oct 7
- a detailed proposal is due at the end of this laboratory period, including budget
|
Group Project Proposal Due – Monday Oct 7 Your proposal is worth 5% of your final grade. |
6 (Oct 14-18) Thanksgiving |
Tuesday Oct 15
NO CLASS
Thursday Oct 17
- science through storytelling
|
Monday Oct 14 No lab this week |
|
7 (Oct 21-25) | Presenting exercise #2 Podcasts (half the podcasts will be aired on Tuesday, the other half will be aired on Thursday) |
Monday Oct 21
- continue work on group projects
|
This exercise is worth 10% of your final grade. |
8 (Oct 28-Nov 1) | Tuesday Oct 29 & Thursday Oct 31 Discussions – science in print, pitching a story |
Monday Oct 28 No lab this week |
See Courselink for readings/audio clips |
9 (Nov 4-8) | Presenting exercise #3 Video presentations (half the videos will be viewed on Tuesday, the other half will be viewed on Thursday) |
Monday Nov 4
- continue work on group projects
|
This exercise is worth 10% of your final grade. |
10 (Nov 11-15) |
Tuesday Nov 12 Thursday Nov 14 |
Monday Nov 11 No lab this week |
Writing assignment #1 – story pitch Due Friday Nov 15 (This exercise is worth 5% of your final grade.) |
11 (Nov 18-22) |
Tuesday Nov 19 & Thursday Nov 21
- what have we learned?
- course evaluations
- dress rehearsal for STEM week
|
Monday Nov 18
- final session for group project preparation
|
|
12 (Nov 25–29) | Tuesday Nov 26 & Thursday Nov 28 NO CLASSES |
Monday Nov 25 No lab this week |
STEM Week at the Guelph Civic Museum This exercise is worth 40% of your final grade. |
Fri, Dec 6 | Writing assignment #2 – full Science Corner story – DUE This exercise is worth 15% of your final grade. |
This schedule is tentative and subject to change. Consult Courselink regularly to remain up to date with the course activities and deadlines/due dates.
Learning Resources
- Trust Me, I’m a Scientist – Daniel T. Willingham, May 5, 2011, Scientific American
- Nine Tips for Communicating Science to People Who Are Not Scientists, Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, Nov 22, 2016
- Neil deGrasse Tyson & Richard Dawkins discussing the importance of style as well as content, November 22, 2006. Originally recorded November 5-7, 2006 at Beyond Belief: Science, Reason, Religion and Survival, La Jolla, CA. (WARNING – coarse language at the very end)
- Six Principles of Sticky Ideas – Dan Heath, 2008 World Creativity Forum, excerpt
- Words, Words, Words, blog post by 4 gravitons (aka Matt von Hippel, post doc at PI) Dec 9, 2016
- Nine Ways Scientists Demonstrate They Don’t Understand Journalism, Ananyo Bhattacharya, Jan 17, 2012, The Guardian
- Why Be a Character?, Michelle Nijhuis, essay in “Escape from the Ivory Tower – A Guide to Making Your Science Matter” by Nancy Baron (ISBN-10: 1597266647) See Courselink for a pdf copy of the essay for discussion.
This is not a complete list – Courselink will be updated regularly with your pre-class preparation materials.
University Statements
Email Communication
When You Cannot Meet a Course Requirement
Undergraduate Calendar - Academic Consideration and Appeals
Graduate Calendar - Grounds for Academic Consideration
Associate Diploma Calendar - Academic Consideration, Appeals and Petitions
Drop Date
Undergraduate Calendar - Dropping Courses
Graduate Calendar - Registration Changes
Associate Diploma Calendar - Dropping Courses
Copies of Out-of-class Assignments
Accessibility
Academic Integrity
Recording of Materials
Resources
Disclaimer
Please note: This is a preliminary web course description. The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. An official course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester and/or posted on Courselink.