Center Provides Workshops for NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program

Communicating research to people outside of one’s field can be very difficult, especially for students new to a program or a major who are just beginning to learn the language of the field. Small things like eye contact, the way speakers hold themselves, and the language used can make a world of difference in creating a connection for understanding. That’s why a Department of Chemistry Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program partnered with the Center for Communicating Science (CCS) to provide communicating science workshops for the REU program’s participants.

    This summer, nine students from different universities, including one from Virginia Tech, were accepted as participants in the 9-week research program in Virginia Tech’s Department of Chemistry. The program, Students Transforming Energy and Environmental Research or STEER, is funded through a National Science Foundation REU grant. The students were given research projects that address challenges associated with global warming and climate change, each paired with a chemistry faculty member. Through the program, students participate in Office of Undergraduate Research professional development sessions, present at the summer undergrad research symposium, take part in a communicating science workshop series, and give "STEER speeches." The STEER speeches were limited to three minutes each, forcing students to find creative ways to succinctly present their research.

    CCS faculty facilitated participatory and interactive workshops, providing opportunities for participants to learn and practice new skills in talking about their research. Exercises and serious games based on improvisational theatre tools and practices kept students on their feet and moving for much of each workshop. The exercises focused on communicating research to people in fields outside of chemistry, applying techniques like speaking without using complex scientific terminology, finding commonalities between speakers, communicating the “big picture” explanation of the research, and using concrete metaphors to explain abstract ideas. The workshops helped students prepare for and feel more confident giving their STEER speeches. 

    “I think that science communication is so so so imperative,” commented STEER program director and Department of Chemistry department chair Amanda Morris, who contacted the CCS to add the workshops to the students’ summer experiences. “You can be a brilliant scientist, but without the ability to tell people about it, your discoveries may be lost."

The STEER speeches, presented July 15, were video recorded by  CCS summer student intern Elliott Byrd. The video recordings were provided to the students.    

    CCS associate director Carrie Kroehler, summer graduate assistant Liz Gray, and Byrd all worked with the STEER participants, who came to Virginia Tech from James Madison University, University of Texas at Austin, Longwood University, Tusculum University, Delaware State University, Randolph-Macon College, Morehouse College, and University of Arizona. 

    By Elliott Byrd, Center for Communicating Science student intern