lesson module 1 final

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. 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: What would you do to change science journalism
for the better?

4. Sports Science

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Natural Disasters

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Science and Medicine

13. 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

14. 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

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. 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