Benefits for participants extend beyond the rich educational experience to include invaluable training.  Students must develop many skills to execute this task. Motivation is built and training is begun at a “kick-off” workshop the NC State School of Veterinary Medicine. Students work with members of the staff of the College of Veterinary Medicine Biomedical Communications Department to learn basic techniques of photography and web page design. Reading a press release and participating in a press conference led by a News and Observer science editor polishes interviewing skills. Completing this workshop entitles students to become Sci-Blast reporters – scientific journalists.

Training continues during the after school meetings. Students practice photography and interview techniques. Facilitators coach them in personal interaction skills with adults and their peers. They learn to use email and research topics related to their scientist’s research. Partners work together to plan and organize tasks necessary to complete each project. Production activities include preparing for interviews, interviewing scientists, writing and revising articles, and web authoring.

All these elements prepare students to conduct effective interviews and convey the information they collect in informative and interesting web pages.