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Purpose
Increasing public understanding of science and technology is one of
the principal goals of AAAS. The association has improved coverage of
science and technology in mass media for more than 30 years through the
Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows Program. This highly competitive
program strengthens the connections between scientists and journalists
by placing advanced science, mathematics and engineering students in newsrooms
across the country. The AAAS Fellows use their academic training in the
sciences as they research, write and report today's headlines, sharpening
their abilities to communicate complex scientific issues to non-specialists.
Program
The AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows work for 10
weeks during the summer as reporters, researchers, and production assistants
in mass media organizations nationwide. Fellows collaborate with media
professionals at radio and television stations, newspapers, and magazines.
As part of their job, the student-scientists and their host-journalists
strive to make science news easy for the public to understand.
The fellowship program is designed to enhance coverage of science-related
issues in the media in order to improve public understanding and appreciation
of science and technology. Fellows have the opportunity to observe and
participate in the process by which events and ideas become news, improve
their communication skills by learning to describe complex technical subjects
in a manner understandable to the lay public, and increase their understanding
of editorial decision making and the way in which information is effectively
disseminated. The program has supported nearly 500 Fellows.
Criteria:
- Applicants must be enrolled as college or university students (in
their senior year, or in any graduate or post graduate level) in the
natural, physical, health, engineering, computer, or social sciences
or mathematics in order to apply.
- Post doctoral applicants must apply for the summer fellowship within
one year of defending their thesis.
- Students enrolled in English, journalism, science journalism, or other
non-technical fields are not eligible for these fellowships.
- Successful applicants will attend an orientation at AAAS headquarters
at the beginning of the summer and a wrap-up session at the end of the
summer. They will prepare reports on the progress of their fellowships
throughout their placement.
Award
AAAS typically selects from 20-25 Mass Media Fellows each summer.
Fellows are provided a weekly stipend of $450 as well as travel expenses
to and from AAAS and their sites.
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