2017 Science Communication Course

What: As a scientist, are you having trouble connecting with your audience?  Are you worried that the message of your science isn’t getting through to people in the most effective way?

If you’ve answered yes, then apply for this year’s Science Communication at NASA. The course, developed by NASA’s Office of the Chief Scientist and run by the Science Mission Directorate, is an agency-wide leadership development course that is a cornerstone in the agency’s effort to cultivate and support science communicators just like you.  Being an effective science communicator is more important now than ever, with so many urgent current issues involving a lack of science literacy in the general public.  It is up to us, as scientists, to build a compelling narrative and communicate more effectively to the public, media, and even our own colleagues.

Participants in the class will learn key communication strategies through group learning and “hands on learning activities” to extract the key points of their message to large audiences in a short time frame. The course also offers rotational activities that allow participants to deliver short dialogues utilizing the following Goddard (Greenbelt) communication tools:

• Social Media Panel
• Hyper wall
• Live Shots in the media studio

Past participants have told us:

• I took everything I learned in that Science Communication 3-day course and applied it to this Flight Readiness Review. The result was my most fun, best FRR yet.
• Thanks to your course I have started working with (another participant from my Center) on blogging and social media strategies. We are also talking about how we can work better across the divisions and combine our science.
• That workshop was amazing! I’ve been through a few leadership/training workshops in and outside the agency, and I honestly believe this is the best one I’ve taken.

WHO: This course is currently available for civil servant scientists, engineers, and technologists with an interest and responsibility for communicating their work to both internal and external audiences, from staff meetings to documentaries, and everything in between. This is more than just a skills course; it is a course that addresses the over-arching culture of science communication at NASA as well as the opportunities and challenges therein.

WHERE/WHEN: Course offered October 24th-27th, 2017 at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Space is limited to predetermined allocations.

WHY: This course is important for those who want to learn how to simplify their message for audience understanding, without losing the most important essence, the science.

Application Process: Interested applicants must complete an application by 8/2/2017 – Solicitation closed. The application is attached to this message and should be submitted to HQ-SciComm@mail.nasa.gov.

By date 8/21/2017, identified POC’s for each center will evaluate applications and select participants from their Center. Goddard Greenbelt will notify selected participants and alternates by date 8/28/2017.

Funding: Agency-funded offering. All travel costs must be covered by the participant’s Center. Goddard POCs are available to help with lodging and transportation recommendations.