The Pepper
July 26, 2015
Welcome to The Pepper! This is our experiment for an official newsletter format, to keep everyone updated on science communications news and events in and around the Capital Region. Send your updates to capscicomm@gmail.com, and we’ll try for a weekly publication schedule and go from there. Whether you’re on our member list as a professional or an enthusiast, let us know if you find The Pepper to be a helpful resource, and your ideas on how to improve it. Thanks!
Our next Capital Science Communicators Networking Social is on July 29th in Sacramento! We’ll be at Kupros in Midtown again, gathering with colleagues from science journalism, photography, education, and policy worlds! See who’s coming, RSVP to get on that list, and share the Event Page on Facebook!
As always, CapSciComm events are free and open to any professional or student who has an interest in advancing science literacy in the Capital Region. Come meet colleagues who work everyday to explain complex scientific concepts and news to diverse audiences—from newsrooms to classrooms to the Legislature—and brainstorm how you can spice up science for Sacramento!
With the #WraggFire and #KyburzFire burning up this past week, CAL FIRE and U.S. Forest Service PIO’s were burning up the live tweets as well. Check out the feeds of @CALFIRE_PIO Daniel Berlant and @ElDoradoNF to see how they pushed their updates.
The nonprofit newsmagazine “CALmatters” has launched, choosing climate change as its very first theme. Focusing on California policy news, CALmatters has stocked its bullpen with talent from The Sacramento Bee, Capital Public Radio, and The New York Times, penning feature stories and profiles, as well as inviting opinion pieces from notable researchers and experts.
CapSciComm colleague and UC Davis doctoral student Don Gibson has launched a new campaign in response to the U.S. Treasury Department’s announcement to put a woman on the U.S. ten dollar bill. With the “Barbara on the Bill” petition, Gibson makes the case for Dr. Barbara McClintock—the only solo woman recipient of a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine—to be the face of #TheNew10. Check out Gibson’s top ten reasons and McClintock’s bio, and browse the campaign website for a fascinating glimpse of this woman in science.
KQED Science is seeking a digital web producer to join their team.
The California Air Resources Board has posted an opening for a PIO who is fluent in Spanish.
The Wildlife Society Sac-Shasta Chapter and the Sacramento Valley Conservancy are hosting a film screening of Green Fire, about famed conservationist Aldo Leopold. Check out details for this July 31st event at Camp Pollock.
Erika Lantz of PRX.org posted “10 Ways Not to Start a Radio Story”, pointing out some of the more popular ways radio journalists script their opening. Read in the context of science news coverage, however, it’s hard to see how some of these supposed cliches can be avoided—or can they?
Who is the Neil deGrasse Tyson of the Capital Region? Nominations are due August 15th to recommend a passionate scientist for the AAAS Award for Public Engagement with Science.
ICYMI: CapSciComm intern James Eldred did a quick media analysis of the Pluto flyby coverage by Capital Region news outlets. Check out who managed to find a local angle on this interplanetary story.
Finally, mark your calendars for the August edition of “Science Night Live” at the World of Wonders Science Museum in Lodi. CapSciComm colleague Dr. Annaliese Franz will be answering questions on how algae can hold the key to sustainable fuels production.
Keep Science Spicy!
Capital Science Communicators 