So, what exactly do you do?

How many times have you been asked this question and tried to distill the subtleties of ocean currents or oil chemistry into something a local reporter or your neighbor could understand?

COMPASS is a nation-wide program focused on helping scientists answer this question and turning them into better communicators. In conjunction with the University of Washington in Seattle, COMPASS hosts a science communication class for science graduate students, and on May 8, 2014, OR&R Writer and Editor Ashley Braun participated in the class. She joined a panel with other professional writers Ashley Ahearn (KUOW, Seattle’s NPR affiliate), Bryn Nelson (freelance medical and science journalist), and Chris Solomon (freelance adventure writer).

This class’s students, researching everything from synthetic biology to the intersection of art and science, peppered the writers with questions about topics including how to prepare for interviews and what a “typical” day seeking out stories is like. Next, everyone was put on the spot in front of the class during mock interview scenarios, ranging from cocktail parties to conferences. Each professional played a journalist interviewing the students about their work in an off-the-cuff situation. Afterward, the students received feedback on how well they explained what exactly they do and how it is connected to the rest of the world.

For more information, contact Ashley.Braun@noaa.gov.

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