Tools for Transformation
Funded Proposals
College of Engineering
Technical Communication
A new science-writing pathway in Technical Communications will lead to the development of a new regional science and technology magazine. In selected courses, upper division undergraduates and graduate students will develop articles for the sample issues of the magazine, will participate in analyzing audience demographics, and will refine a marketing and business plan. This new pathway responds to Washington's projected sharp growth in the biomedical and biotechnical fields.
| Contact: |
Judith Ramey Associate Professor, Technical Communication jramey@u.washington.edu
Deborah Illman |
| Allocation: | $60,020 |
| Date Funded: | September 1998 |
PROGRESS REPORT
Our goal has been to establish an experiential science writing curriculum in Technical Communication linked to the production of a new regional science and technology magazine. Over the past year, we have accomplished the following objectives:
Developed and taught a set of courses for undergraduate and graduate students that articulate with the production of the magazine and that provide an experiential learning opportunity for students in science and engineering news writing. Guest presentations by a dozen practicing science writers provided a real-world perspective on the field.
Launched the first issue of Northwest Science & Technology magazine as a joint publication of the UW Department of Technical Communication and the Office of Research. NWS&T is a full-color, quarterly publication covering science and technology news in the greater Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, and Alaska. Roughly half of the content of the first issue was developed by student writers from science, engineering, and communication departments.
Refined the marketing and distribution plan for the magazine. The initial circulation of 20,000 includes members of the business and academic communities, legislators, high school teachers, technology-oriented government agencies, and other interested parties. Sponsors of the first issue included advertisers SeaMED, Immunex, Battelle-Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Boston Scientific.
Initiated an evaluation effort to assess the effects of the experiential science writing pathway. Preliminary results show the effort is boosting students' science writing skills and interests, especially in regard to understanding criteria for selection of science topics for coverage; techniques of interviewing and checking for accuracy; structuring a science news story and constructing an appropriate lead, understanding what constitutes a good headline; and familiarity with different science writing formats.
Made progress toward institutionalizing the writing pathway and magazine. A permanent faculty line has been identified to support the science-writing curriculum, and a faculty search is underway with the goal of filling the position by September 1999.
Tools for Transformation
Funded Proposals
