Being an architecture student with no science background, this class provided a great opportunity to enhance my precision and analytical writing-skills that are required in science communication. Early in the class, I was able to learn that science writers play a critical role in bridging the gap between complex scientific concepts and diverse audiences unfamiliar with such material. Their work must also overcome barriers like limited proficiency in Standard American English and mistrust of science that may be a result of structural racism.
One of the big discussions we have in the group is on one of the most important scientific discoveries from HeLa cells and, at the same time, talking about the ethical issues concerning cell procurement about Henrietta Lacks. We discuss through blackboard discussion, summarizing and synthesizing various research studies in our Informative Review Paper, using accessible language and communicating with empathy. We wanted to present research in a manner that it shall be understandable and accessible to multi-ethnic and multilingual audiences.
From this assignment, I learned that summarizing complex scientific research in a manner that is easy for a broad audience to understand is quite challenging. This difficulty arises from the need to explain numerous scientific terms clearly and accurately while maintaining thoroughness in word choice. Striking a balance between simplicity and precision required careful consideration and deliberate effort.
The other one was a position paper on sustainability and the SPSA, which had as its purpose to persuade the readers of the acceptance of the author’s claim on some debatable research issue. This work stressed an opportunity of providing full evidence and reasoning to substantiate the claim and simultaneously nullify all the opposite ones. My topic for my SPSA was all about green roofs which stressed the need for green roofs in urban areas to help regulate the temperature in concrete-dense cities Although it was a very enlightening assignment to understand different issues concerning sustainability, various research topics that class members had presented, from food waste to clean up of streets and about climate change, were all so interesting.
The range of topics bore into the broad intent of the assignment: to raise awareness and give gravity to sustainability issues. The development in language and evidence towards professional, policy-oriented persons is underlined by the emphasis on the dire need for immediately addressing those challenges. This is also meant to prompt timely action in influencing policy leaders or the governor to push the agenda for sustainability programs.
The final assignment was a research proposal, one of the many forms of written communication that scientists use to seek approval and funding for their research. Students were required to conduct a literature review for background information and expected methodology of the proposed research. A major part involved looking at the methodologies of the previous studies to identify their strengths and weaknesses and even gaps in the existing research that might be explored.
This was really challenging because it involved going through a large volume of research for meaningful gaps, which, again, is very intensive and requires great focus and critical thinking. However, this thoroughly improved my capabilities in reading and assessing a scientific paper with precision, thus allowing me to develop skills in reviewing and synthesizing information much the same way as a scientist would do. This experience not only whetted my attention to detail but also further developed my ability to think critically about research design and methodology.
Writing the research proposal allowed me to synthesize a big volume of studies into one argument. It helped me develop my ability to support my hypothesis with evidence. This process taught me how to synthesize diverse sources effectively, ensuring that my position was grounded in well-researched and credible information. Also, it reinforced the use of evidence strategically in an effort to build a convincing and scientifically sound argument.
This class was important in my development toward a better analytical and writing student, with absolutely no science background as an architecture student. Each assignment, from simplification to research methodologies analysis, served to challenge me to think both critically and to communicate effectively. I gained an appreciation for bridging scientific ideas with diverse audiences through empathy, precision, and accessibility. Besides enriching me as a writer, these experiences taught valuable lessons that will help in both my academic and professional life.
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