# Sci-Comm Track – September 2025 Lab Report

## Updates by Fellow

### Clare Yijia Xie

**Trainings / PD**
- 8/29: Met with John Girash (Director of Graduate Education, SEAS) → discussed SEAS teaching initiatives & identified potential faculty/staff contacts for outreach.
- 8/29, 9/4, 9/11, 9/18: Attended Sci-Comm Track meetings; contributed to Fall project planning (graphic design, AI in SciComm, podcasting).
- Learned podcast production with Jordan → edited and published an interview episode discussing research.
- Drafted two quick learning resources during HackMD resource session:
- [Learn Claude with Claude (the Croc)](https://hackmd.io/wwlH-W6dRme88dJS6T_ItA)
- [Learn Google Gemini (Harvard-specific version)](https://hackmd.io/giVJ98pvStWvhj_WX1SGhg#Quick-links)

**Projects**
- *Courses:*
- Planning involvement in OEB 50 podcasting workshop (9/30), PSY 1330 data visualization/creativity workshop (10/29), CE 10 pitch decks workshop (11/5).
- *Resources:*
- Prototyped a Streamlit web app to visualize publication trends (Web of Science data).
- App: [iltrends-clarexie.streamlit.app](https://iltrends-clarexie.streamlit.app/)
- GitHub: [IL_trends repo](https://github.com/clarexie98/IL_trends)
- Exploring prototypes for AI “slide check” (accessibility/design feedback).

**Ideas / Next Up / Proposals**
- Develop workshops on **AI for data analysis & visualization**:
- Introductory (humanities backgrounds).
- Advanced (STEM audiences).
- Support Bok AI Lab workshops:
- “AI for Data Visualization and Graphics” (10/15).
- “Using LLMs to Process Qualitative Data” (11/19).
- Prototype a **custom GPT** to navigate Bok resources or scaffold podcast-making.
- Possible workshop/resource: “What is a custom GPT?” → training faculty/TFs to build small models for teaching & learning.
- Brainstorming:
- Interactive teaching tools (web apps for parameter exploration).
- STEM AI Resource Guide (Chemistry/Applied Physics/Engineering focus).
- AI-enhanced Jupyter/Python problem sets.
- Workshop on “How to Present and Plot” combining SciComm, design, and AI visualization.
- Reading & reflection: Allison Pugh, *The Last Human Job* → inspired focus on AI & SciComm projects that enhance **interaction, collaboration, and human connection**.

### Erandi Chavez
**Trainings / PD**
- Podcasting Training: Attended and created a podcast with Kaylin; can now help out with podcast production workshops
- Keynote Training: Animated transitions, slide design, opacity effects, and animating 3D objects into presentations

**Projects**
- Courses:
- **ASTRON 98**
- Workshops:
- Create a workshop for students to produce a 2-min science explainer video on their research as a final project
- Faculty consultation done!
- Create a prototype workflow and test it on LLUFs before deploying
- **ASTRON 215**
- Workshops:
- Faculty consultation done!
- AI Workshop with Marlon (encouraged but not required for students)
- Presentation and Slide Design

- Resources:
- Outreach video for a recent major Event Horizon Telescope press release (animated in Blender after the BGF orientation); contributed to press release explaining the main scientific takeaways of the paper

**Ideas / Next Up / Proposals**
- Design 3D Interactive Astro Sims (in the form of web apps) for astrophysical systems to build intuition about unintuitive concepts

---

### Kaylin Chong
**Trainings / PD**
- 9/11: Shadowed PSY1018 workshop
- 9/16: HackMD resource-building workshop.
- 9/17: Participated in BGF podcast training.

**Projects**
- Courses:
- **OEB 10 (Introductory Biology)**
- 9/8: Prepped biodiversity lab section she helped design.
- Focus: introducing students to local fauna using museum specimens.
- Materials: pinned bees, mice (MCZ mammalogy collection), owl pellets, bird feathers.
- Created slideshow materials to support the lab.
- Activity designed to help students practice observation before field trip to the Charles River.
- Resources:
- [none yet]

**Ideas / Next Up / Proposals**
- Possible expansion of museum specimen–based teaching.
- Designing another OEB10 section
- Getting ready for OEB10 LL workshop in November

---

### Laura Ostrowsky
**Trainings / PD**
- 9/9: Shadowed MMH multimodal storytelling workshop
- 9/17: Participated in BGF podcast training.
- 9/25: HackMD resource-building workshop.
- 9/25: Began classroom practice training on video consultations (with Chloe & Matthew).
- Sept: Downloaded Adobe Creative Suite → learning Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign.

**Projects**
- Courses:
- **OEB Ecology** → confirmed collaboration via Robin Hopkins + Ben Taylor; follow-up consultation pending.
- **LS1A** → coordinating 20 consultations with Mackenzie; logistics + equipment setup.
- **MCB 197 (Scientific Illustration Workshop)** → 9/25 planning meeting with Jordan + Mackenzie; will run BioRender station in Oct 31 workshop.
- Resources:
- None formally started, but contributed to HackMD resource-building workshop.

**Ideas / Next Up / Proposals**
- SciComm workshop on **data visualization in RStudio**.
- Teaching resources for **outdoor/in-the-field** contexts.
- First BGF podcast episode (with Mack, week of 9/29).

---

### Mack FitzPatrick
**Trainings / PD**
- 9/9: Shadowed HMS MMH Intro Workshop.
- 9/17: BGF podcast training → setup, recording, editing. - Demo podcast intro with Laura (9/17).
- 9/19: Media Design Humanities Lab rapid filmmaking workshop.

**Projects**
- Courses:
- **GENED 1105 (Anth/Arch)**
- 8/25 & 9/8: Corresponded with course staff about support roles and project ideas.
- 9/8: Met with head TF; got Canvas access.
- 9/10: Consultation with Rowan, Percy, Christine.
- 9/12: Debrief with Jordan.
- Prototyping 3D scanning for capstone StoryMap.
- Resources:
- **In Situ / SCA**
- 9/8: Talked with Tina about ideas for *In Situ*.
- 9/12: Consultation with Tina + SCA assistant.

**Ideas / Next Up / Proposals**

- Continue 3D scanning prototyping for GENED 1105.
- Explore ways to make Archaeology newsletter/publications more outward-facing.

---

### Mackenzie Harrigan
**Trainings / PD**

**Projects**
- Courses:
- **MCB 290 (Grad Journal Club)**
- 8/29: Introduced role at G1 orientation.
- Obtained recordings of past journal clubs.
- Reached out to first presenter ahead of 9/26.
- Met with Christine + MCB director Polina Kehayova.
- **LS1A (Intro Biology)**
- 8/22: Met with course heads Sien + Rebecca.
- 9/15: Met with Cait (LS1A Head TF) → observation logistics.
- 9/23: Attending teaching team meeting.
- Observations: 9/24–9/26, 10/1–10/3.
- Coordinating 20 consultations with Laura.
- **MCB 197 (Scientific Illustration Workshop, 10/31)**
- Obtained past workshop materials (Alexa).
- 9/18: Planning meeting with Amanda Whipple, Jordan, Laura.
- **SCRB 145**
- Advisor Ya-Chieh Hsu interested in more active paper discussions.
- Mackenzie to observe and lead one discussion later in semester.
- **SCRB 111**
- 8/28: Attended consultation.
- 9/16: Participated in explainer video workshop.
- Resources:

**Ideas / Next Up / Proposals**
- Pilot consultation model for MCB 290.
- Redesign SCRB 145 paper discussions.
- Learn advanced Illustrator, Photoshop, HackMD/web tools, greenscreen.

---

### Ruchita Balasubramanian
**Trainings / PD**
*(Fellow to add updates here)*

**Projects**
- Courses:
- **FYSEMR 74C**
- Resources:

**Ideas / Next Up / Proposals**

---

## 2. Fall Projects (Courses & Resources)

**Courses Supported (confirmed & in progress)**
- GENED 1105 → consultations + access to materials; testing 3D scanning for StoryMap project.
- Anthropology → Graduate & senior thesis presentations; multimedia dissertation defenses.
- OEB 10 → Section design + LL workshops.
- OEB 50 → Podcasting workshop (9/30).
- OEB Ecology → New confirmed collaboration (materials + consultation with faculty).
- HMS MMH → Multimodal Storytelling Workshop (9/9); Pitch Workshop (11/18).
- Expos 20 (Raymer) → Workshop on Medicine & the Moral Imagination.
- SCRB 111 → Explainer Video Workshop (9/16); script consultations (Oct/Nov); in-studio video recordings (Nov).
- SCRB 145 → Paper discussion re-design (Mackenzie).
- MCB 290 → Journal club revival (illustration/overhead presentation format).
- PSY 1018 → Psychology of Music workshop (9/11).
- PSY 1330 → Creativity & memory workshop (10/29).
- MCB 197 → Planning meetings (Laura, Mackenzie, Jordan); workshop scheduled (10/31).
- CE 10 → Pitch Workshop (11/5).
- LS1A → 20 video consultations planned (Laura + Mackenzie coordinating scheduling/logistics).

**New / Potential Projects (details forthcoming)**
- QSE 301 (Quantum Science & Engineering PhD practicum) → 15 G1 students; Learning Lab visit tentatively Nov 4.
- ASTRON 98 → Assigned to Erandi.
- ASTRON 215 → Assigned to Erandi.
- FYSEMR 66Q → Assigned to Erandi.
- FYSEMR 74C → Assigned to Ruchita.

**Resources Under Development**
- Slide design resources (graphic design principles, accessibility, AI “slide check”).
- Faculty-facing handout/slide deck introducing Sci-Comm support.
- Schedule-send emails as a communication tool.
- Documentation/testing: Keynote vs PowerPoint vs Google Slides (with LLUFs).
- Sci-Comm Lab launched → space for testing/scaffolding new communication workflows.
- Archaeology newsletter / In Situ → exploring public-facing media features.
- BGF podcast series (fellows interview each other about their research).
- HackMD resource-building → fellows learning platform for resource documentation.

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## 3. Training & Learning Updates
- Orientation (Aug 13–21): Pedagogical foundations, track introductions, AI ethics, inclusive classrooms, active learning.
- Track Meetings (Sept): Weekly Thursday 12–1 established.
- Focus areas this month:
- Graphic design principles for slide design (Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Keynote, PPTX, Google Slides).
- Podcast training (equipment + teaching prep for OEB 10).
- HackMD resource-building workshop.
- Classroom practice training on video consultations (LS1A).

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## 4. Next Up / Ideas / Proposals

**Fellow Ideas**
- Laura: Workshop idea on data visualization and graphing in RStudio.
- Laura: Development of field/outdoor teaching resources (linked to Ecology).
- Laura + Mackenzie: First BGF podcast episode recording (week of 9/29).
- Mack: Continued experimentation with 3D scanning apps for GENED 1105 capstone.
- Mack: Exploration of public-facing content models for Archaeology newsletter.
- Mackenzie: Pilot consultation model for MCB 290 journal club.
- Mackenzie: Redesign SCRB 145 paper discussions (later this semester).
- Clare: Prototyping AI “slide check” tool for accessibility.
- Group: BGF podcast series (fellows interview each other).
- Group: Faculty-facing handout/slide deck (outreach resource).

**New Project Leads (to assign / confirm)**
- QSE 301 (Quantum Science & Engineering PhD practicum) → 15 G1 students; Learning Lab visit tentatively Nov 4.

- FYSEMR 66Q → Erandi?

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