A little learnin’

So, I’m spending a few days in DC for the orientation to the AAAS Mass Media Fellowship that I received. It’s hot and humid. In fact it just started storming… like thunder and lightning kind of storming. WILD!!!

I have a hard time believing that I’m just a block away from the White House, and mere miles away from the Pentagon. It’s pretty neat to be so close to where so many important decisions and deals are made.

I spent the day in the AAAS headquarters with 19 other students from around the country. Every one with visions of science and writing in their futures. While most of the other students will be heading out to their fellowships immediately following this orientation. I just get to go home. I’m getting all excited, only to put it all on hold until my fellowship starts in the fall. Someone get me a cold shower.

The day was quite useful with information on how to write for various media formats and for interviewing people. I especially liked learning how to write for radio. Hopefully, it will come in handy for my own radio program in the next couple of months as I gear up for New York City in the fall. Time to get some writing practice in!

Tomorrow we will tour the NPR offices. I’m interested in getting to meet Joe Palca, who I spoke with a couple of years back. Maybe he will be around and able to talk. Also, there is a science writers social hour tomorrow evening. Lots of good networking opportunities. God, I hate small-talking to people sometimes. I hope that I’m able to meet some interesting people, and strike up some interesting conversations.

More to come as I complete the orientation. Time to grade some lab reports. 🙁

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