EVER wondered how chimpanzees paint or how elephants are trained?
Spektrum der Wissenchaft
Thirteen budding young German science writers have recently been grilling the experts to find out in a three-day workshop on “The Intelligence of Animals” run by Spektrum der Wissenchaft.
The young reporters “Wissensschreibers”, aged between 12 and 16 years old, learned about the essential skills of science reporting from the editorial team behind the German-language edition of Scientific American.
As part of the workshop they researched and interviewed members of staff at the Heidelberg Zoo on a diverse range of topics. These included the conservation of Roloway Monkeys, an interview with the zoo’s elephant keeper, a quirky look at how chimpanzees paint and a profile feature on sea lions.
The workshop was the idea of Kirsten Baumbusch funded by an award for science communication with Spektrum neo, Spektrum’s sister title for younger people.
Spektrum der Wissenchaft
The pilot workshop is the first of a number to be rolled out across the next year each on a topic covered in Spektrum neo. The next workshop will take place in September and focus on astronomy.
“First of all they learn to think like a science journalist. They learn to find the right questions, ask people about their research and to write an exciting story. The teaching team is built up of editors and journalists and participants get to see how Spektrum neo is put together.”
Spektrum der Wissenchaft
The participants see the whole process from design, marketing and targeting audiences, to a meet and greet with the Editor-In-Chief Carsten Könneker. The young Wissensschreibers’ places are funded by the award and budding reporters apply for a place on the course.
The workshop has already spawned a success story, with two participants being invited to run a workshop with young scientists at the DKFZ (German Cancer Research Centre). They will teach future scientists on how to communicate their research with the public at a ‘Life Science Lab’ for young people over the age of 14 years old.
“The feedback has been fabulous and most of the attendees want to become fully fledged science journalists now. They all worked really hard and created some great stories, interview and photos which are now up online.”
The articles and features are available to view on here.
For more information on the workshops and how to apply, please contact Kirsten Baumbusch.
Spektrum der Wissenchaft
Spektrum der Wissenchaft