Modes of Science Communication
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Modes of Science Communication
This course is part of Designing Effective Science Communication Specialization
Instructor: Melanie Peffer
Included with
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What you'll learn
Explain best practices for oral, written, technological, and artistic forms of science communication.
Apply principles of learning engineering to design effective forms of science communication.
Skills you'll gain
- Writing and Editing
- Photography
- Pedagogy
- Content Creation
- Psychology
- Technical Communication
- Photo/Video Production and Technology
- Storytelling
- Science and Research
- Community Outreach
- Instructional Strategies
- Driving engagement
- Education Software and Technology
- Liberal Arts
- Music
- Media and Communications
- Human Learning
- Writing
- Oral Expression
- Visual Storytelling
Details to know
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- Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 4 modules in this course
In this course, you will explore different modalities of science communication, including oral presentations, written forms of communication, technology, and artistic media, including best practices for each.
Welcome to course 3! In the first module, you will learn important considerations for effective oral presentations, including best practices for giving live, recorded, and virtual presentations. In addition, we will also cover best practices for creating visual supports (poster, PowerPoint slides) to help communicate your message during an oral presentation. We will also discuss best practices for media interviews.
What's included
4 videos6 readings2 discussion prompts1 plugin
4 videosβ’Total 32 minutes
- Course Introductionβ’5 minutes
- Best Practices For Public Speaking: Styleβ’7 minutes
- Best Practices For Public Speaking: Contentβ’8 minutes
- Interview Best Practices with Julie Poppenβ’12 minutes
6 readingsβ’Total 51 minutes
- Course Updates and Accessibility Supportβ’1 minute
- Julian Treasure TED Talk: How to Speak so that People Want to Listenβ’10 minutes
- 6 Rules of Great Storytelling (As Told by Pixar)β’10 minutes
- 7 Storytelling Techniques Used by the Most Inspiring TED Presentersβ’10 minutes
- Optional Podcast Episode: Learning to See Science in the Worldβ’10 minutes
- Optional Dr. Melanie Peffer TED Talk: How Rethinking Biology Can Positively Change Your Lifeβ’10 minutes
2 discussion promptsβ’Total 20 minutes
- Warm-upβ’10 minutes
- Oral Presentation Critiqueβ’10 minutes
1 pluginβ’Total 15 minutes
- Introduce Yourself Map Padletβ’15 minutes
In this module, you will learn best practices for writing as a vehicle for science communication. Rather than focusing on grammar and general writing mechanics, this section will focus on how to effectively use the written form as a tool for science outreach, including how formal scientific writing varies from pieces for the general public.
What's included
3 videos3 readings2 peer reviews1 discussion prompt
3 videosβ’Total 40 minutes
- Common Pitfalls in Science vs. General Public Writingβ’8 minutes
- Types of Public Facing Articlesβ’11 minutes
- Interview with Hillary Rosner, Science Journalist and Editorβ’21 minutes
3 readingsβ’Total 25 minutes
- Optional: Talking About Science in a Pandemic: A Golden Opportunity for Science Communicationβ’10 minutes
- Optional: My Journey to Writing Biology Everywhere and Tips for Self-Publishingβ’10 minutes
- ONLY SUBMIT 1 PEER REVIEW BELOWβ’5 minutes
2 peer reviewsβ’Total 120 minutes
- Message Map Activityβ’60 minutes
- Message Map Activityβ’60 minutes
1 discussion promptβ’Total 10 minutes
- Warm-upβ’10 minutes
In this module, you will learn about technological forms of science communication outside traditional media (e.g. written or oral communication). In this module, we will discuss how science is communicated through various forms of educational technologies, including computer games, simulations, and social media. We will also briefly discuss learning analytics and their utility in understanding learning in technology-based environments.
What's included
4 videos1 reading2 discussion prompts
4 videosβ’Total 54 minutes
- Introduction to Educational Technologiesβ’4 minutes
- Social Media for Science Communicationβ’7 minutes
- Learning Analyticsβ’8 minutes
- Interview with Jim Slotta, Professor of Educationβ’35 minutes
1 readingβ’Total 3 minutes
- Learning Analytics in a Nutshellβ’3 minutes
2 discussion promptsβ’Total 20 minutes
- Warm-upβ’10 minutes
- Final Project Planningβ’10 minutes
In this module, you will learn about the importance of artistic forms of science communication. The arts can serve as an important gateway between scientists and the rest of society making difficult or abstract concepts feel more personal and less intimidating. Here, we will talk about use of art, such as photography as well as music to help feel others connected to science topics.
What's included
4 videos8 readings2 peer reviews1 plugin
4 videosβ’Total 40 minutes
- The Arts as a Bridge to Science Communicationβ’6 minutes
- STEAMing Aheadβ’6 minutes
- Adkins Interviewβ’23 minutes
- Wrap Upβ’5 minutes
8 readingsβ’Total 70 minutes
- Music Video: Science is Real by They Might Be Giantsβ’10 minutes
- Turning Trash into Art for Conservationβ’10 minutes
- Photo Ark Interview with Joel Sartoreβ’10 minutes
- Comics and Science Educationβ’10 minutes
- TED-Ed video: Art and Neuroscienceβ’10 minutes
- Course 3 Resourcesβ’10 minutes
- DESC Universal Final Project Instructionsβ’5 minutes
- ONLY SUBMIT 1 PEER REVIEW BELOWβ’5 minutes
2 peer reviewsβ’Total 120 minutes
- Capstone Project Presentationsβ’60 minutes
- Course 3 Final Projectβ’60 minutes
1 pluginβ’Total 5 minutes
- Warm-up Padletβ’5 minutes
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Reviewed on Apr 11, 2025
Great course! Helped me gain a thorough understanding of the subject.
Reviewed on Dec 21, 2025
Dr Melanie has done a great job with the material in the course. She is interesting to listen to and I felt I came away with a solid understanding from starting out completely green.
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When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
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