Chemistry Communication Institute: A Pilot Program; September 2009, Seattle, WA

这个试点项目将研究新的策略，以加强化学专业人员的准备工作，以便与更广泛的受众进行交流。总体目标是培养一批化学传播领袖干部，他们可以：1)帮助在化学领域带来文化变革，以重视和奖励公共传播；2)担任化学传播工作的导师和大使；3)共享模块化化学交流课程/资源指南。本项目将产生关于策略的新知识，以加强非正式科学教育者的准备，特别关注以下核心问题：1)本课程在多大程度上提高了化学家向更广泛的受众传播自己研究的能力；2)当了几天记者的角色扮演经历如何影响化学家作为记者消息来源的准备工作；3)如果有的话，这种准备如何影响化学家对化学公共传播过程的理解和态度；4)课程如何影响参与者的想法、态度、计划和行动，在他们的家庭部门进行沟通工作？这些问题将通过课前和课后的写作作业、课前和课后的问卷调查、后续调查以及与参与者的电子邮件/电话互动来解决。

This pilot project will investigate new strategies to enhance the preparation of chemistry professionals to communicate with broader audiences. The overall goal is to cultivate a cadre of chemistry communication leaders who can 1) help bring about a cultural change in the field of chemistry to value and reward public communication; 2) serve as mentors and ambassadors for chemistry communication efforts; and 3) share a modular chemistry communication curriculum/resource guide.This project will generate new knowledge about strategies to enhance the preparation of informal science educators with particular attention to the following central questions: 1) to what extent does this course improve chemists' ability to communicate their own research to broader audiences; 2) how does the role-playing experience of being a journalist for a few days affect the preparation of chemists to serve as sources for journalists; 3) how does this preparation affect, if at all, chemists' understanding of and attitudes toward the process of public communication of chemistry; and 4) how does the course affect participants' ideas, attitudes, plans, and actions with respect to undertaking communication efforts in their home departments? These questions will be addressed by means of pre- and post-course writing assignments, pre- and post-questionnaires, and follow-up surveys and email/phone interaction with participants.