Every day, we read headlines that claim to feature a major breakthrough in scientific research. But too often, pop science journalists fill our news with exaggerated (or false) versions of research findings. Is climate change man-made? Do tacos cure cancer? By the end of class, you will be able to figure it out and start reporting!

A discussion on how to write about science, how to break down complex ideas, and why good scientific journalism matters

Hosted by the Yale Scientific Magazine (YSM), the nation’s oldest college science publication, and Synapse (YSM’s Outreach Division), Jargon to Journalism offers students the chance to explore in depth the field of scientific journalism through classes with current Yale Scientific Magazine writers, editors, and staffers. Each class will build upon students’ ability to conduct science reporting and writing, as well as providing perspectives and lessons in a wide variety of topics related to science journalism, including landmark experiments in the media, historical impact of science journalism, how to conduct interviews, and media issues approaches and representation of genetic engineering, aerospace, entrepreneurism, and cutting-edge physics, among other topics. Teachers will also speak about their experiences getting involved with and writing for the Yale Scientific Magazine, and how they continue to explore their interests in the field through involvement as varying as classes to interning at the Smithsonian itself. Current teachers include Lionel Jin, Payal Marathe, Julia Rothchild, and Rebecca Su.