lesson module 1 final (2)

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. When reading think about how science news
is different from other mainstream news.
Students: What would you do to change science
journalism for the better?

4. Science Journalism
 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: How can the current methods of science
journalism be altered to make it more immediate and
also more accessible to a wider audience?

5. Where can we find science
journalism?
 Sports Science
 Weather Science
 Medical/Health Science
 Technology/Consumer Product Reviews
 Etc…

6. Sports Science

7. Sports Science
 When commentators break down a golf swing or a
baseball double play, they assess elements of physics,
kinesiology, and 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

8. 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 officials

9. How is Science Journalism
reported?
 Sports Science: What different news mediums were featured
in the selection of links and which were most effective in
presenting the scientific news? Circle all that you saw:
 Video
 Blog
 News Articles
 Interactive/Educational activities
 Do any of these online sites publish magazines or news
journals? What are some of the other ways these news
organizations reach their audiences?

10. 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

11. Natural Disasters

12. 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

13. 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

14. How is Science Journalism
reported?
 Natural Disasters/Weather Science: What different news
mediums were featured in the selection of links and which
were most effective in presenting the scientific news? Circle
all that you saw:
 Video
 Blog
 News Articles
 Interactive/Educational activities
 Do any of these online sites publish magazines or news
journals? What are some of the other ways these news
organizations reach their audiences?

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. Science and Medicine

17. 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

18. 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

19. How is Science Journalism
reported?
 Medical/Health Science: What different news mediums were
featured in the selection of links and which were most
effective in presenting the scientific news? Circle all that you
saw:
 Video
 Blog
 News Articles
 Interactive/Educational activities
 Do any of these online sites publish magazines or news
journals? What are some of the other ways these news
organizations reach their audiences?

20. 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

21. Who supports science
journalism?
 Scientists and scientific organizations obviously want
their reports published so they can get recognized for
their work and receive more funding for their research.
 The support of political organizations usually dictates
future funding of projects and now, with modern society
being increasingly influenced by new technologies, the
economic sector also takes interest in new scientific
findings and maps their financial success.
 Regardless of the group involved, science news is
heavily impacted by a range of outside forces.

22. 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