<p>Lecture, four hours. Students learn methods of communicating with diverse public audiences, participate in community-engaged science work, and write about and for a partner organization. Introduction to the fields of science relevant to the collaborating organization being served. Emphasis on accountable conduct toward each other, their instructor, and organization members. Includes intensive writing. P/NP or letter grading.</p>

English Composition

College of Letters and Science

Writing Programs

ENGCOMP 134XP - Science Writing for Public Engagement and Community Science Projects 

Science Writing for Public Engagement and Community Science Projects 

Practice data collection for phenology. Experience keeping careful and regular records of nature’s changes over time (phenological records, not just iNaturalist sightings), and the resulting recognition of the way nature and attention to nature influences human well-being. Students will participate in the activities of the organization, collecting data themselves so they more fully understand the work of our partner organization(s) and the methods of science. 


Become more aware of the landscapes of Southern California, the geography of the parks and its urban nature

Examine various communities in Los Angeles and explore ways to reach those communities, both as audiences but also as potential participants in the exciting collaborative work that grows human understanding. 


Witness the role that community engagement can play in developing an awareness of local ecology and an appreciation of nature. By the end of the quarter, students will likely have experienced and be able to identify the transformative potential in community-science programs.


Collaborate with national and local organizations, promoting, and otherwise supporting scientific research by community members who are not academically trained scientists. Interact with experts at multiple organizations working in CE science. 

Become aware of the “landscape” of environmental justice and injustice in Los Angeles.

Become a more thoughtful, clear, creative, and powerful writer; improve your purposefulness and decision-making skills as a writer.


This course offers students opportunities and experiences, but their commitments to those experiences, and how they process them and what conclusions they come to, is open ended and individual. 
The following goals fall into several very categories: reading and writing, analysis and knowledge (related to scholarship, local information, and CE organizations), learning more about Southern California’s civic and local contexts and structures (history, government and private programs, etc.), learning about our community and the cultures and subcultures within it, developing civic identity and commitment, and practicing civic communication and civic action. In terms of scholarship, we’ll be focusing on the goals and methods of CE, theories and methods of science communication, analysis from principles, and participant motivations. 


Apply critical thinking to examine the values expressed by various community engaged science organizations, the language of some of those organizations (such as “citizen science” and “bioblitz”), their methods, and who they serve. This may include how museums “interpret” their collections to their “guests;” how academic labs welcome undergraduates, high school students, and members of the local public into their work (or don’t); and various organization’s communication practices. 


Recognize the value of keeping a writing journal in which they reflect on their experiences in urban nature during this quarter, in this course, and with the community science organization, making observations, keeping track of questions and speculations, and reflecting on their own experiences. A journal is a professional tool of both writers and scientists. 


General Catalog

Science Writing for Public Engagement and Community Science Projects

ENGCOMP 134XP

5 units