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# System prepended metadata

title: Sci-Comm Track – September 2025 Lab Report

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# 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  

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### 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  

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### 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.  

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### 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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