Science Outreach Through Comedy: A Three-Part Course

Ever Find it Difficult to Explain Your Work to Non-Scientists?

Believe it or not, "late night" comedy may have the solution you need.

Humor is a unique communication tool that can help you become more relatable to the public. In fact, comedy can make you a better science communicator overall, since joke-writing forces you to translate complex ideas into stories that are understandable to non-scientific audiences.

In this three-part workshop, the Academy has partnered with Science Riot, an organization that believes in the power of humor to connect with broader audiences, make difficult topics accessible, and humanize scientists without undermining the seriousness of their professions. They host training programs and outreach events in cities all over the U.S.

With support from professional comedians, Science Riot will provide a combination of hands-on training, writing exercises, and personal feedback as you craft a short comedy talk about your expertise.

Through this process you will learn:

• Improvisational and “late night” comedy methods to break down social barriers
• How to find relatable perspectives and attitudes to frame a public conversation
• Strategies to make scientific topics accessible without oversimplifying
• How to recognize complex social contexts and engaging appropriately
• The use of proper microphone technique and volume control
• How to project confidence through stage presence and nonverbal communication

The workshop is an intensive experience that takes place across three weekends. You must be available to attend each practice session in order to build successfully towards our showcase event where you will deliver your talks together to a live audience.

• August 4: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
• August 10: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
• August 17: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm