Announcing the 2024-2025 Program for Curious Science Writers

What is involved?

Curious Science Writers is a year-long program with the bulk of activities and work taking place during the summer months.

Interested students apply for a role as either writer, editor, graphic designer or social media coordinator. Students become part of the Curious Science Writers community where they are able to learn and apply new skills while building long lasting relationships with fellow students from across the nation and around the world, program faculty and science communication professionals.

Once accepted via a highly compettive application process, candidates will begin to prepare for the summer boot camp. Writers will research their assigned bioscience topic. Editors, graphic designers and social media coordinators will become familiar with the bioscience topics chosen for the current class.

All students accepted to the program will actively participate in an intense 5-day virtual boot camp.* The program is taught by core faculty and guest speakers who are professional science writers and science communicators. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with scientists and others involved in the biomedical research community. In addition, each student is matched with a professional science communications mentor who will provide guidance as new skills are applied after the boot camp.

The writing, editing, design, publishing and distribution of stories happens after the boot camp. Writers interview content experts, work with mentors, write their stories and turn them in by August 30. The editorial team and graphic designers then work to edit and design the art for the stories during the upcoming academic year. Finally, the social media team promotes the publish stories to their peers and other public audiences througout the year..

During the acadmic year (September to May), the editorial team attends a monthly team meeting. All students (writers, editors, artists, social media coordinators along with past and potential students) have the opportunity to attend regular cSw gatherings featuring guest speakers, sci comm activities, networking, and more.

*Thursday during the week of the summer bootcamp will feature in-person or live virtual visits to a cutting edge research facility.

Who should apply?

The program is open to all curious and creative high school students.  Preference is provided to those currently in grade 10 or 11.

How many positions are available?

cSw accepts up to 24 writers, 2 editors, 2 graphic designers and 2 social media coordinators for the Curious Science Writers Class.  Training will primarily occur during the summer, with some sessions occurring during the academic school year, depending on the position. Read the cSw Position Descriptions here.

Rolling Admission

Candidates are accepted on a rolling admission basis.  Applications will be closed when all slots are filled.

Tuition

$350 Early Registration (before April 1).  $450 Regular Registration. Scholarships for those in need are available. Contact us at paula@amprogress.org for more information on scholarships.

Staffed by professional communicators with extensive expertise in science writing, the cSw Boot Camp will offer up to 30 select students an intensive short course in producing clear and compelling science stories for a public audience.

Students will interview a content expert relevant to the biomedical science story they are researching and writing and be paired with a mentor actively working in the field. The month following the day camp will involve writer/mentor interaction while students write their stories. Stories are then sent to the cSw Editorial Team. This experienced student team, which includes a Chief Editor, Creative Team Manager and Social Media Manager, will work with new student editors, graphic designers, social media coordinators and writers to polish, publish and promote stories throughout the academic year.

Thinking about applying? You will need to complete an application and submit three additional items: two recommendations – one from a teacher and one from a supervisor for an activity outside of school – and a parent consent form. Applications open in January

Questions? Contact the cSw Program Coordinator at paula@amprogress.org.