[Editors] Science Journalism References

Thu Nov 13 15:37:10 EST 2003

Hello everyone,

Attached is the reference sheet we talked about at today's Editor's Club 
Meeting and that (which?) Elizabeth mentions below in her notes.  The 
original creatrix was my colleague Hannah Bernstein, though I have been 
doing the revisions the past few years.  It hasn't been checked and updated 
recently, however, so some of the links may be duds, apologies in 
advance.  I will add the Field Guide and PIOnet.

If you know of other good resources for these fields please let me know!

Thanks,
Marilyn

At 02:40 PM 11/13/2003 -0500, Elizabeth Thomson wrote:
>MIT EDITORS' CLUB
>*Meeting Notes from November 13, 2003*
>
>While I was attending today's Editors' Club meeting a colleague sent me an 
>interesting query that came in to the News Office web site. You'll find it 
>at the end of these minutes. I was hoping ya'll could help me respond.  ;) 
>;)  (Um, that's a double wink, folks.)
>
>*Writing/Media Relations Resources*
>
>What are some of *your* favorite resources for writing and/or media 
>relations? Three came up at this meeting:
>
>--For science writing, check out the web site for the National Association 
>of Science Writers http://nasw.org/. Among other things, it can help you 
>find a science writer for a specific project or locate potential freelance 
>opportunities for yourself. The NASW also sells a book that I thoroughly 
>recommend. A Field Guide for Science Writers can be ordered off the web 
>site for $15. In addition to  chapters by reporters in a variety of media, 
>the book also includes a chapter on science writing *outside* the media, 
>such as for universities and government.
>
>--Check out PIOnet, a listserv for university Public Information Officers 
>(science writers and media relations folk at universities and other 
>nonprofits). Go to http://www.newswise.com/public/pionet/
>  for the PIOnet member directory, job listings, and info on how to join. 
> (I suggest subscribing to the PIOnet "digest" that compiles one e-mail a 
> day containing all messages posted.)
>
>--Marilyn Wilson of MIT Career Services has compiled a Science Journalism 
>Reference Sheet that includes info including additional URLs of interest 
>to writers. She'll send it to us in a separate e-mail (Thanks, Marilyn!). 
>Marilyn prepared the sheet as a handout for an IAP panel discussion she 
>organizes every year called "science journalism and related fields." The 
>2004 panel will be January 15.
>
>*Wright Brothers at MIT*
>
>In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight, 
>the MIT Museum is hosting a variety of activities that sound super 
>interesting. Jack Curtis, Public Relations officer for the museum, told us 
>about events ranging from a Saturday Festival of Flight 
>(http://mit.edu/museum/programs/nov-dec.html#flight ) to a noon talk by 
>one of the museum's curators on "aviation's most precious relic"---fabric 
>from the original 1903 airplane 
>(http://mit.edu/museum/programs/nov-dec.html#flightfabric).
>
>*News Office Media Database*
>
>Actually, Jack brought up the Museum's Wright Brothers' events because 
>he's working to publicize them to local media. "Can the News Office help 
>me find appropriate contacts?" he asked. Yep, especially since my 
>colleagues Darren Clarke, Patti Richards, and Myles Crowley recently 
>unveiled a new database that includes over 2,000 media from around Boston 
>and the world. If you'd like help publicizing a given event, research 
>result, etc., please give me a call at x8-5402 or thomson at mit.edu. I can 
>either help you myself or direct you to the proper News Office person.
>
>*Web Redesign: Agghhh*
>
>Paul Rivenberg of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center is currently 
>redesigning the center's web site. His immediate query--finding a 
>consultant who can review the templates he's already created--grew into a 
>wide-ranging discussion on the overall topic. For example, Susan Curran 
>(the homepage Spotlight Lady and a member of Web Communications Services) 
>encouraged folks to call WCS if they need advice or help. Some services 
>are free, others not.
>
>Susan also suggested that folks call Information Systems' Usability Team 
>when their web sites are farther along. That team, led by Susan Jones 
>(sbjones at mit.edu) can "test" the site for usability and to make sure it's 
>accessible to those with disabilities.
>
>Overall, Editors at this meeting agreed wholeheartedly with Katrina Norman 
>of the Biotechnology Process Engineering Center who emphasized that 
>GATHERING  CONTENT is the hardest part of web redesign. That and 
>mobilizing all teams involved to work together....
>
>*Next Meeting*
>
>The next meeting of MIT Editors' Club is Tuesday, December 16, from 12-1 
>in the News Office (11-400).
>
>
>*And the Query Is.....*
>
>If you can think of a response, please feel free to drop me a line. 
>Otherwise, just enjoy.
>
>>
>>I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO SOMEONE AT MIT ABOUT DESIGNING A REMOTE STARTER 
>>FOR A TRUCK HEATER, THAT WORKS OFF A THERMOSTAT  OR A TIMER.. IT HAS TO 
>>BYPASS THE IGNITION SYSTEM AND BE TOTALLY INDEPENDENT.
>>I SLEEP IN MY TRUCK IN THE WINTER IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN..
>>I AM A WILDLIFE OFFICER AND THE SAFTEST HEATER IS IN THE TRUCK ALREADY 
>>INSTALLED.. ALL I NEED IS SOMETHING TO TURN THE HEATER  ON AND OFF SO I 
>>DON'T FREEZE MY BUNS OFF.
>>CAN U HELP OUT.
>>SOMEONE?
>
>Cheers,
>
>Elizabeth
>
>--
>
>====================================
>Elizabeth A. Thomson
>Assistant Director, Science & Engineering News
>Massachusetts Institute of Technology
>News Office, Room 11-400
>77 Massachusetts Ave.
>Cambridge, MA  02139-4307
>617-258-5402 (ph); 617-258-8762 (fax)
><thomson at mit.edu>
>
><http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/www>
>====================================
>_______________________________________________
>Editors mailing list
>Editors at mit.edu
>http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/editors

Marilyn C. Wilson, PhD
Career Development Counselor
MIT Careers Office
77 Massachusetts Avenue, 12-170
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 258-9149 or
(617) 253-4733 
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