SCIENCE WRITER-AT-SEA: AN INTERRIDGE PROGRAM JOINING SCIENTISTS AND FUTURE JOURNALISTS

Tremendous advances in science and technology are made every day as the citizenry struggles to keep pace with it all. Disturbing trends such as the media growing more homogenized so that fewer stories are actually told – and told without the necessary context – are adding to the problem. In the worst-case scenario, people simply lose interest in science altogether. New ways of telling the science story are needed. Science Writer-at-Sea is one practical way to respond to the challenge of science illiteracy as it pertains to the oceans, which are inextricably linked to human health and in dire need of more attention. It has been spearheaded by InterRidge, an international nonprofit science organization. This hands-on training and outreach program targets two significant links in the communication pipeline: marine scientists and future journalists. The basic goals are: 1) To provide a practical, yet inspiring science journalism ‘boot camp' for graduate students in journalism that encourages open dialogue between scientists and journalists 2) To accomplish education outreach objectives for scientists in a cost-effective, meaningful way; and 3) To boost public understanding of the ocean planet via the main tangible product: original, compelling, multimedia stories generated by the cruise experience.

A pilot test has been successfully performed and plans are well underway for the program's expansion. The overriding goal is for each student to provide a multimedia presentation of the science – including a basic breakdown of feature stories, photos, and video interviews. The website will be available, at a minimum, to all science centers, museums and aquaria that are affiliated with ASTC (Association of Science-Technology Centers, 540 members, 40 countries). The ‘best stories' are re-packaged as necessary for publication in an appropriate venue: newspapers, magazines, museum kiosks, or other websites. Science Writer-at-Sea is one step in the right direction toward improved coverage of Earth science news.