Lion Talk Science (LTS)

The goal of Lions Talk Science (LTS) is to provide an avenue for graduate researchers at Penn State College of Medicine to develop and hone the critical skill of science communication. Whether you intend to pursue a career in academia or industry or want to leave the bench for one of the many alternative careers open to you post-PhD, the ability to explain complicated science with clarity is essential – and to do so with flair and creativity will help you stand out amongst our peers.

For our writers, our goals are:

• Offer the chance to write about science news, discoveries, or history that interests you

• Provide an organized editing system that helps you build foundational writing skills – from appropriate syntax/grammar, to writing a good “hook,” to creating a compelling narrative

For our readers, LTS strives to be a source of accurate, interesting, accessible science news and information. Science touches every aspect of life and therefore is relevant to everyone; so, we believe that scientific discoveries and their implications should be understandable to everyone, too. For this reason, a main point for LTS writers is to use language that’s digestible for non-scientists.

To contribute to LTS as a writer, you must:

1. Be a graduate student at Penn State College of Medicine

2. Be interested in using writing to tell engaging stories about cool science!

3. Sign up for a first-draft submission date on our latest sign-up sheet (emailed to all PSUCOM graduate students at the start of each semester)

4. Read this “Anatomy of an LTS Article” document that outlines everything you need to know to get started (including coming up with article topics; target word count; structure; citations; figures; writing style; how the editing process works; and more!)

To contribute a science doodle to LTS, you must:

1. Be a graduate student at Penn State College of Medicine

2. Be creative and use art to tell a story or share a sentiment about science!

3. Email LTS at lionstalkscience@gmail.com to discuss your doodle idea so we can determine whether it would be a good fit to feature with LTS

4. Create your masterpiece in any medium, but email it in a format we can post (JPEG, PDF, PNG, etc) – include a caption, and please sign your work!
   
   

LTS is happy to assist with assignments, abstracts, seminars, or any other scientific communication assistance you may need!

Assistance Provided

Please note the expected turnaround time for each document.

• Abstracts and Posters: General comments and in-text edits (2 business days)

• Writing Assignments: General comments on entire document and in-text edits on one paragraph max (2 Business Days)

• Seminars and Presentations: Mock presentation with comments on structure and flow (Please reach out 1 week before you’d like to schedule a mock to provide ample time)

• Grants and Comprehensive Exam: In-text edits on 1 page and comments on up to 6 pages after (7 business days)

Disclaimer

This scientific communication assistance is generously provided by older students who have gone through these classes, given poster presentations and seminars, and written grants. We are providing insight to the best of our ability and knowledge, but your grade is your own responsibility. Our comments and edits are to help you learn how to communicate science more effectively, but please accept our comments and edits at your own discretion.

Visit the Lions Talk Science (LTS) blog or email the LTS team to learn more.