On 23 October 2024, UWC Adriatic students had the unique opportunity to participate in an engaging workshop on science communication and journalism, led by the Public Information Unit of TWAS, the World Academy of Sciences. Over twenty first-year Higher Level Biology students took part, gaining insight into the importance of science communication in making complex scientific ideas accessible to the public.
The TWAS team shared valuable lessons on distinguishing between science journalism and science communication, the power of storytelling, and the art of translating scientific concepts into relatable, jargon-free language. The session also introduced students to the principles of impactful science journalism, including what makes a discovery newsworthy, and TWAS’s global mission to support researchers in developing nations, driving scientific progress and contributing to sustainable development worldwide.
The workshop included hands-on exercises, such as analysing scientific articles to identify key points and crafting interview questions for a biography of Prof. Mohamed H.A. Hassan, former TWAS President. The session closed with a Q&A, sparking students’ curiosity about careers in science journalism.
“This workshop was invaluable,” noted Biology and Theory of Knowledge teacher Milos Busarcevic, “as students learned first-hand about effective science communication.”
Students left inspired, with Esperance from Togo expressing her excitement at discovering the intersection of science and journalism, while Zölan from Hungary reflected that he now sees science journalism in a whole new light.
