Programs: Education
http://www.aaas.org//programs/education/MassMedia/program.shtml
AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows Program
About the Program
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 more than 500 Fellows.Criteria:
- Applicants must be enrolled as college or university students (at least in their senior year of undergraduate study) — or have completed a degree — in the natural, physical, health, engineering, computer, or social sciences or mathematics in order to apply. Graduate and doctoral students are welcome to apply.
- Applicants must apply for the summer fellowship within one year after graduation or defense of 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.
