Meet in the lobby of the Doubletree Guest Suites Austin at 6:30 pm to catch the shuttle to EarthSky Communications, The Jefferson Building, 3500 Jefferson Street, Suite 210

A discussion about the hot science issues this political season, led by Shawn Lawrence Otto

A wide-ranging talk covering: what science makes news; why traditional journalistic balance can mislead the public; the clash between science’s uncertainty and the public’s misunderstanding of science; how to deal with science fact and scientific opinion; and other issues facing journalists who cover the realm of human endeavor with the greatest impact on humanity.

When David Kestenbaum tells people he covers science for NPR, they often say something like: “It must be hard explaining such complicated ideas in such a short amount of time!” Well, it is.

Proof, truth and evidence are essential to the methods of both scientists and journalists, but these words can have very different meanings.

In this talk, Daniel Bolnick reviews some of the basic ideas of evolutionary biology, including common ancestry, identity by descent, and natural selection.

An opportunity to catch up on various logistics issues.

Meet in the lobby of the Doubletree Guest Suites Austin at 6:30 pm to catch the shuttle to the restaurant.

The frontier of modern biomedical research requires an understanding of the mechanisms within cells and the workings of their genes.

The immediate past chairman of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association presents a report card on the nation’s infrastructure, and explains what’s needed for the roads and bridges that are failing.

Data do not come with meaning. Statistics is a collection of techniques whose basic goal is to extract meaning from data.

Radio Lab Executive Producer Ellen Horne will offer a few case studies out of the Radio Lab series which illustrate common problems in science reporting and some novel attempts to address these issues.

This session focuses on the role of the individual reporter in science journalism, including the potential opportunities and pitfalls.

Scientists Don Blankenship and Ginny Catania discuss their work on large ice sheets, melting, and sea level rise. Charles Jackson punches holes in accepted climate models. Moderator Camille Parmesan is an expert on the impacts of climate change on wildlife.

You may have done some excellent reporting and have a fascinating story to tell. But if you don't tell that story in the language of radio, your report likely will go in one ear of your audience, and right out the other.

Most of the world is certain that synthetic chemicals are dangerous and that “natural” means safe.

We leave for the J.J. Pickle Research Campus for an 11:30 visit to Ranger, the most powerful supercomputing system in the world for open science research.

In the 21st Century, power is all about energy. Where is it? Who has it? How can it be distributed?

Part I will explore ways to cover science and technology that can distinguish you from the competition.

J. Craig Wheeler will survey the hot topics in astronomy, why the media and the public should care, and the role of journalists in bringing astronomy to the public

In this presentation at the Center for Nano and Molecular Science and Technology, chief scientist William Lackowski will discuss nanotechnology and how a scientist’s view is different than popular culture.

Bridget Scanlon’s research, on the impact of changing land-use on water sustainability, has tremendous implications for the future of global economics and politics.

In a practical session using a real-world example, Helen Palmer, producer of the environmental show Living on Earth and former Marketplace health desk correspondent, will discuss some of the pitfalls of reporting about health and the environment, and possible solutions.

While Google is an excellent search engine, it is rarely used to best advantage. Expert researcher Amelia Kassel will bring you to the next level of finding information for science, health, technology and environment reporting.

Saul Rockman and Bari Scott