Science journalism curriculum

Day 1
Nature of science
Understanding the scientist
Science communication theory, practice and trends
Public science engagement (dialogue and debate) and the mass media
Science writing vs science journalism vs science PR
Understanding and building relationships between scientists and journalists

Day 2
Why science (and science journalism) matters
How science features in mass media
Science writing styles
Audiences for science writing
Science ethics

Day 3
Finding a news angle; What makes a science story newsworthy?
Pitching your story to the news editor
Science writing planning and tips
Science feature writing

Day 4
Working with numbers and statistics
Risk communication
Science on radio
Science writing science for young children
How to read a scientific paper and generate a science story from a scientific article
Interviewing scientists successfully

Day 5
Translating science to English
Fact checking and verifying
Sources of science stories
Networking with other science writers and journalists
Evaluation & closure

Practical components
Pre-course writing assignment
Visits to science laboratories
Interviews with scientists
Writing exercises
"Translation" (plain language) exercises
Discussion on examples of print and broadcast science stories
Scientific presentations by visiting scientists