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Science Education Partners

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Overview

As a Science Education Partner at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, science graduate students and postdoctoral researchers will participate in a multi-day, in-person training in science communication for public audiences. With an emphasis on their own research, participants will build compelling narratives to share science topics with a diverse audience through a video presentation, short talks, and question-and-answer sessions. Our goal is to connect the professional experience of our museum education staff with the science expertise of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Together, we can build the effectiveness of public science communication here at Harvard and engage the public in scientific thinking at the edge of new discoveries.

A group of diverse students smiling during a discussion about science.

Program Details

Topics will include how people learn and understanding audience needs. You will practice carefully refining your message, presentation skills, and question and answer facilitation. Time will be allocated for brainstorming, prototyping, and reflection. Through this training, participants will create a video and a live presentation that can be shared with K–12 classrooms and the general public.

2025 Series Dates: Friday, January 10, January 17, January 24, January 31, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, and Saturday, January 25, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Opportunities for Engagement

Harvard student, Souvik Mandal, on the right, a group of black birds on the top left and a group of purple and pink fish on the bottom left.

Following the training, participants will have the opportunity to participate in museum programming including:

You can choose to be a part of one or all of these opportunities.

Outcomes

After participating in the Science Education Partners program, participants will be able to:

  • Explain their research clearly to the public in a way that is engaging, understandable, relevant, and that inspires curiosity
  • Consider their audience and present effectively to diverse groups
  • Create visually appealing presentations that are appropriate and engaging for a non-technical audience
  • Connect their research to the larger context of people’s daily lives.
  • Modify their approach based on feedback and reflection.

Who Is Encouraged to Apply

  • Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers interested in public outreach
  • Graduate students or postdoctoral researchers participating in Broader Impact projects
  • Participants should have an active research project

How to Register

Interested applicants can register through this form by December 13, 2024.

Contact Arielle Moon (arielleascrizzi@hmsc.harvard.edu) with questions about the content or logistics of the training.