Mary Lugg

Science Communication Reflection: Dr. Teresa Cohn

Portfolio Reflection

In order to make the data mean something (and perhaps even to count for something), it
seems vital that quantitative discourse be complemented with other modes, such as story
and image, which so forcefully inspire human audiences and shape our moral compasss.
Scott and Paul Slovic in Numbers and Nerves

This course was valuable to me for my personal growth and professional growth

surrounding science communication. We discussed the characteristics of a good

communicator, hosted guest speakers, read outside perspectives, and got

experential experience by creating numerous communication based artifacts. I

learned many new media outlets in which to communicate science during this

course such as audacity for sound and imovie for film. For my final project, I used

Adobe Illustrator to graphic design an interpretive sign for a community pollinator

that I also helped to design. In the future, I hope to continue to be creative using the

skills I have learned in this class and also help others faciliate their own creativity.

Storytelling has the ability to change perspectives and affect behaviour due

the emotional response stories can have on their audience. Because of this I was

given several prompts surrounding telling a story grounded in science by creating a

podcast. I was told to take a risk in telling my stories and I tried to do that. Each

podcast was presented to my cohort. This a vulnerable situation to be in but I grew

as a communicator by taking a risk in writing and presenting a vulnerable story and

getting reflective praise and criticism. I also got to hear my classmates storytelling

and offer feedback. This dialgoue helped me better understand what makes a good

story and also to be confident and reflective in my own storytelling process.

 For my final project , I wrote content for and designed an interpretive sign

for a polliantor garden at the Boise WaterShed. I gained content knowledge

surrounding pollinators and their perils while also learning how to communicate

science through a community partner. The pollinator garden and sign are a full

sensory experience that has the potential to reach a large audience. The garden

provides a beautiful place to walk through while learning about native plants. The

sign further explains the importance of pollinator partnerships, planting native

plants, and other ways to help pollinator conservation. The sign involved careful

editing to clearly and effcient communicate my main messages. I also wanted to

make the sign eye catching and appealing by the design and use of high-quality

photography. I taught myself how to use Adobe Illustrator, which will be an

important skill for any outreach position in a non-profit, government, or teaching

position.

This was one of the most meaningful courses that I have ever taken. Through

this course, I learned to communicate better and listen more carefully. I learned

about myself by telling stories and producting artifacts that were important to me. I

learned about my classmates through listening and viewing their artifacts. The

power of storytelling is immense. As a scientist and educator, I want to continue to

weave stories through the use of data and narratives because this is when people

really listen.