Creating Interpretive Signage for Museums, Science Centers,
Parks and Zoos (Yes, and Aquariums and Botanical Gardens, Too)

A panel of experts discussed the joys and sorrows of creating text for signs, kiosks and other interpretive materials at our monthly meeting on May 14 at University House. Our panelists shared their collective knowledge about planning, writing, editing and producing such materials at places like the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Yakima Area Arboretum and Fort Worden State Park. More…

Big data: Delving deeper into the latest scientific buzzword

Has “big data” always existed, or has something changed in recent years to bring this catchphrase to the surface? What research is being conducted using big data, what repositories are available or being built, and what stories should science writers potentially cover on this topic? During our program on April 9, the following speakers explored these topics for NSWA members and guests:

• Sally James, who recently looked into this big data topic for Seattle Business Magazine and shared a “shallow dive into big data” on her blog. James began her career as a newspaper reporter in Portland, Oregon. Over a long career in Northwest journalism, she has talked her way into autopsies, murder scenes, surgeries and medical research labs.

• Justin Thompson, UW student in Mathematics. Thompson is working on sparse sensing algorithms, with a focus on developing code for distinguishing difference among data sets (images, sounds) with minimum information.