Science communication to influence change

The world is currently facing many challenges, from poverty and inequalty, to degradation of natural resources, climate change and increasingly frequent natural disasters. Science and scientists have key roles to play in understanding and addressing these issues now and in the future, locally and globally. However, scientific insights and solutions are only effective if it they can be shared effectively with other stakeholders – including those with limited scientific training.

In this unit you will choose an issue of interest to you, and conduct a project to find, explore and communicate relevant science to non-specialist audiences. You will have opportunities to work both independently and in collaboration with other students.

SCI1000 will equip you with the skills you need to communicate your thinking, knowledge and findings to others, whether you aim to be a mathematician modelling data, a physicist exploring techniques behind new superconductors, a chemist finding greener approaches for industry, or a biologist increasing the nutritional content of vegetables. Or perhaps you are an earth scientist or ecologist monitoring changes to climate or ecosystems, or someone with a fascination for science who wants to ensure the right ideas are being heard in the right places.

Whatever your areas of interest or career aspirations, the skills you will develop are highly sought by employers in all industries and discipline areas.

As you build skills in finding, analysing, translating, and ethically presenting complex ideas you will also be building a strong foundation for your future studies and career development.

Active learning - Self-paced, interactive online modules will introduce you to key concepts at the start of each week. This knowledge will then form the basis of the on-campus workshops, where we collaboratively explore ideas, build connections, and contrast perspectives through a wide range of formative and summative activities. The workshops will also give you time to discuss ideas for your science communication project (assessments 1,2 and 3), and receive feedback from unit staff and other students.

Research activities - You will develop skills to locate and communicate ideas and information in various formats. The assessment tasks require you to identify and research a topic and then communicate your findings. You will need to consult primary, secondary, and governmental literature (where appropriate) to source information for your topic and reformulate this to communicate it to the desired audience. The first task will be completed independently, and the second in a pair, and the final one will be conducted in small groups.

Online learning - SCI1000 is arranged into three 4-week modules, each culminating in a piece of assessment that provides scope for you to expand your knowledge and demonstrate different science communication skills. You will engage with a range of videos, readings, worksheets and Moodle activities. Short weekly quizzes will allow you to check your understanding as you progress through the unit.

• 2-hours of workshop activities;

• 4-hours of online interactive content (videos, readings, instruction and reflection) and

• 6-hours of completing assessments per week.