NEW RESOURCES FOR SCIENCE WRITING TEACHERS

Do you teach science writing—or want to? The NASW Education Committee, chaired by Kelli Whilock and Mariette DiChristina, has created several new resources for people who teach science writing, including a listserv and a Web site containing suggestions for classroom exercises and reading lists. The goal is to create a virtual community in which teachers can connect with other instructors around the country to exchange ideas and seek guidance.

The listserv, which was announced in 2003, is open to anyone who teaches science writing or who is considering leading such a course. Discussions on the list have covered a variety of topics, ranging from class drills to analyses of the current state of science writing. To sign up for the list, visit lists.nasw.org/mailman/listinfo/nasw-teach.

The committee also has developed a Web site containing a number of different resources designed to offer more options in the classroom. Education Committee members John Travis, a reporter with Science News, and Glennda Chui, who covers science for the San Jose Mercury News, collected content for the site. Participants on the teacher listserv also contributed ideas.

Features include links to sample course syllabi; examples of class exercises; and a list of suggested books, online readings, and handouts. The site, which currently is maintained by Whitlock, will be updated periodically with new information culled from discussions on the nasw-teach listserv. To view the site, visit www.nasw.org/mem-maint/teach/.

During the past two AAAS Annual Meetings, the Education Committee also has set aside a meeting space for teachers to get together to discuss issues of common concern; depending on demonstrated interest, this meeting could become a regular feature at the NASW annual meeting as well.

For more information about the nasw-teach listserv or the teachers’ Web site, or to volunteer to serve on the Education Committee, please send an e-mail to mentor@nasw.org.

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