Communicating Science: Student Project Spotlight
Communication student Steven Smyder '24 worked throughout the semester on a research project for Dr. Kathleen DeHaan's COMM 410: Communicating Science class. The project was featured in the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Expo in Spring 2024.
Communicating Astronomical Discoveries
By incorporating recent research findings and application of communication principles, this final project explores diverse methods of exoplanet detection, from the Radial Velocity Method to Direct Imaging, illuminating the challenges and triumphs of unraveling the mysteries of distant worlds.
Recent breakthroughs, such as the potential detection of biosignatures for life on exoplanet K2-18-b using the James Webb Space Telescope, add timely excitement to the narrative. While cautious optimism permeates their perspectives, Uribe and Carson advocate for a balanced approach in the quest for confirming extraterrestrial life, considering the allocation of scientific resources. Their reflections underscore the necessity of scientific rigor, transparency, and collaboration in advancing our understanding of the universe.
"The Night the Stars Came to Life" offers a captivating blend of personal anecdotes, scientific inquiry, and philosophical reflection, showcasing the culmination of Communication 410's focus on making complex ideas understandable and engaging to a broader audience interested in the cosmos and the search for life beyond Earth. This paper was included in the 2024 窪蹋勛圖厙 Student Exposition, having received positive feedback from my peers and the esteemed recommendation of Dr. Kathleen DeHaan.