Course: The Art of Effective Scientific Communication

General

The Art of Effective Scientific Communication
A Course for Science Fair Students and MORE!

If you are like many scientists and engineers, you find yourself passionate about your research and field of interest. However, the challenge of sharing that enthusiasm can arise in communicating with both peers from other areas and non-technical audiences.

This class is specifically designed for students in grades 11 and 12 who have completed a science fair research project and want to communicate their results with judges and peers. However, the same principles apply to anyone who has a technical message to share.

In the words of Rudyard Kipling:

Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.

In this class, you will have the chance to explore different methods of communication and learn skills that can help you to be more effective when you have a message to share. Let's get started!

Topic 1

Start with your Technical Topic

One important part of being an "expert" in any field is being well-read in your topic. Early in your research, it was important for you to read a number of background articles, so that you had a solid grasp of the current research understanding of that topic.

When you read each of those book chapters and journal publications, you likely made notes in your laboratory notebook on what you learned, so you could refer to it later. Now it is time to consolidate those notes in an annotated bibliography. Let's read about what these are, how they are formatted, look at some examples and then create one for your assignment.

Topic 2

Know your Audience

When most people sit down to write a research paper or create a poster board, the first thing they think about is - What do I want to say? Oddly enough, that isn't the first question you should be asking. Rather, the first question should always be - Who is my audience?

Why is it important to understand your audience first? Because, they will be receiving your message and you need to make sure that you deliver your message in the right manner so it can be received effectively. Have you ever sat through a presentation that was too technical? The terms are flying right over your head, people become bored, and as you look around the room, the glazed expressions staring back at you confirm that the speaker has lot their audience! At the same time, if a speaker gives a presentation that is too basic, the audience is frustrated because they aren't learning anything. They start to watch the time and wonder when they'll be able to sneak out, since their goals in being there were not met.

In this lesson you will begin by reading a couple interesting pieces on effective presentation skills. Then you will have a chance to create a checklist for your next presentation, to help you as you prepare.

Topic 3

Create a Phenomenal Research Paper

In the scientific community, the most common method of communication is the written word. As researchers seek to learn the latest in their field, they immediately turn to their favorite journals and read recently published works of their peers. Yet, research writing is an area in which there is significant room for growth by professionals at stage of their career.

Do you recall when you read your first journal article? Do you remember being overwhelmed by technical terminology and turning to your Dictionary every third word? Do you remember wishing the author would write with a little more levity and excitement? Here is your chance to make a difference!

Read the first couple articles that guide you in report writing. Then take a look at the research paper template you will be using in this assignment. Get a feeling for the format of your paper. Review the example reports and consider what you like about each. Finally, review the grading criteria for this assignment, and then put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard!) and write your own scientific story.

Topic 4

Design an Interesting Professional Poster

Engineers and scientists are often encouraged to attend conferences to learn new information, and to share the results of their research. At these conferences, poster presentations are a standard means for communication.

Where else do we see posters? Often we will find them prominently displayed in research laboratories or in the hallways or forays around labs. They also serve as communication tools to prospective students, visiting scholars and other visiting professionals.

However, a poster has limited space, meaning that the words and images it contains must be well crafted and strategically placed. Posters must be visually appealing, while still communicating important findings. In this lesson we will consider what it takes to use this format for effectively sharing information and allow you to create your own final product!

Begin by reading the material that guides you through creating your presentation. Look at the examples and reflect on what you like and what applies to your work. Then start to create your very own presentation. Try new things. Experiment! And in the end, find what works well for your personal style (but always keep in mind your audience!).

Topic 5

Deliver an Engaging Presentation

Throughout high school, college and the professional world beyond, you will be called on to make many presentations. If you are like the majority of people, these moments will cause you some stress and worry. But, I want you to remember that you're the expert! When you are called upon to speak about that on which you are working, no one knows the topic better than you do! Plus, the people who are there to listen to you want to learn from you. They already view you as knowing more than they do, so take solace in knowing that you have something important to say.

In the Science Fair, students are given 12 minutes to engage their audience in a conversation about their research and outcomes. This lesson focuses on helping you to develop your own 12 minute presentation. The majority of students elect to use PowerPoint, but you may use whatever software you would like. The only requirement is that your final product be submitted electronically.

in this lesson you will look at a possible template, read through the guide to creating an oral presentation, watch a few online videos of example visual presentations and tips of how to improve future presentations. Look at the examples for their layout, visual appeal and content. Then create your own interesting product for which you are the expert!

Topic 6

Tools for Effective Public Speaking

So, what do you think is the true key to effective public speaking? What is the closely guarded secret that only great speakers know? It's remarkably simple. Preparation, preparation, preparation! In the words of Woodrow Wilson:

If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation;
if fifteen minutes, three days;
if half an hour, two days;
if an hour, I am ready now.

What this tells us is that the more targeted our presentation, the more preparation it requires.

Just as a picture can be worth 1,000 words, so can an effective example help us to learn key skills. Watch this presentation to see how you can be more effective when you make a presentation. Then watch the other links listed below. Specifically, pay attention to how Hans Rosling engages with the audience, uses clear visual aids, injects humor and successfully delivers his message.

Topic 7

Summary

In summary, this course has covered a number of techniques and tools you can use when communicating technical material to both technical and non-technical audiences. After engaging in each of the lessons, students will have experience with presenting technical material in many different formats. Students have learned tips that will help them to have better experiences in the future when they are called on to share scientific information.

Thank you for your interest and participation!
Enjoy one final video, as you reflect on the value of science research.