Best Practice in Effective Science Communications Will Support Researchers, Learners and Educators
Free, expert Science Communication resources to support students and teachers are now available on LabXchange, the world’s online science classroom.
Three new learning pathways for young researchers include Laboratory Communication, Speaking About Science and Scientific Writing. Interactive infographics and annotated videos present best practice and feature leading science communicators, Alain Viel, Molly Edwards, Lisa Munoz and broadcaster, Giles Yeo. These pathways build on existing resources, covering the fundamentals of analyzing, interpreting and communicating biological data in a research lab environment.
A screenshot of one of the new interactive resources, How to Present a Lab Meeting.
LabXchange has also published a dedicated cluster for high school educators and learners to help students ask scientific questions, design experiments, analyze data and communicate research findings, vastly expanding access to free, high quality resources in this content area.
Scott Heimlich, president of the Amgen Foundation, said, “Housing these resources on LabXchange extends our ability to support educators, high school students and young researchers, including participants in Amgen Scholars, our summer research program for undergraduate students. Developing linkages between our flagship science education programs fosters innovation, expands reach and maximizes impact.”
Welcoming the initiative, Greg Llacer, Global Director of the Amgen Scholars Program Office added, “These free, virtual resources will support undergraduate researchers, improve the quality of scientific communications and help foster a strong scientific community. They build on the existing Amgen Scholars collection and will further complement the in-person summer research experience.”
Amgen Scholar and Wellesley College undergraduate, Joyce Nishimwe said, “LabXchange provides practical guidance for navigating research, such as presenting at lab meetings and mastering scientific writing — making it an accessible entry point for those who are new to the field.”
Speaking about the new high school resources, David Welty, LabXchange Master Teacher, Fairhaven Public School said, “LabXchange’s Research Foundations cluster is a tool I return to again and again, not only in my own instruction but also to share with other science teachers. Having a common reference for science communication helps prepare students for the range of skills needed to participate in science, allowing them to explain their understanding of phenomena and make connections between their observations and the significance of the investigation.”
Gaurav Vazirani, managing director of LabXchange commented, “Over 64 million unique visitors worldwide have engaged with free science education resources on LabXchange since its launch in 2020. In today’s world, I believe that excellence in science communication is as important as research output as it helps people understand the world around them, builds trust and encourages participation in science.”
About the Amgen Foundation
The Amgen Foundation is building scientific literacy and inspiring the next generation of innovators. By supporting dedicated nonprofits and universities, it provides best-in-class science education at no cost to students and teachers through its signature programs, including LabXchange, the Amgen Scholars Program and the Amgen Biotech Experience. Additionally, the Amgen Foundation has been a proud supporter of Khan Academy’s biology resources over the past decade. To date, the Foundation has donated over $475 million to local, regional, and international non-profit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. For more information, visit www.AmgenFoundation.org and follow us on LinkedIn.
About LabXchange
The Amgen Foundation is the founding and lead sponsor of LabXchange. An initiative of Harvard University’s Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning, LabXchange gives learners and educators everywhere access to high-quality, interactive science resources — at no cost. For more information, visit: www.LabXchange.org.
About Amgen Scholars
First established in 2006, the Amgen Scholars Program has provided summer research opportunities to over 5,800 undergraduate students from over 1,000 colleges and universities. Thousands of program alumni have completed their undergraduate studies and are currently pursuing or completed an advanced graduate degree in a scientific field. Program alumni are also employed in scientific fields across 45 countries. More information on www.AmgenScholars.com
