Communicating Science and Engineering

One of the most important issues for our nation is the need to engage young people—and society in general—in the activity of science. An aspect of this is the role of entertainment. Professionals in technical areas often hear and express opinions about the quality of the portrayal of science in film. Such portrayals affect the perceptions of people and the interests of children. Film and television teach.

Sometimes we think of addressing this by somehow encouraging Hollywood to produce pictures with ‘better science.’ Of course, in order to accomplish the goal of producing scripts with better science stories, an increase in the number of science-literate writers is desirable.

Successful professionals in the scientific community often possess excellent writing skills. They frequently juggle projects—as writers do––often working on several disparate projects simultaneously. They manage time well, accomplishing complex, creative goals.

The purpose of the Catalyst Workshop, therefore, is to provide a means for scientists and engineers to become more knowledgeable about the initiation of motion picture projects. The Catalyst Workshop encourages those scientists and engineers interested in working in entertainment to learn how to write and submit scripts.

The Workshop is supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, for the purpose of increasing interest in science and engineering, and strengthening the basis for scientific and engineering disciplines.

Catalyst Workshop 2004 was held from July 17 to 18 in Hollywood. Click HERE to read the news report in "Nature".