Connecting Scientists With Students Using Social Media in an Undergraduate Science Course

Abstract

Social media tools like Twitter allow scientists and other technical subject area experts to interact with the public in previously-unimaginable ways. Here we present a lesson plan in which undergraduates in a non-majors science course (introduction to marine biology) are asked to follow experts on Twitter from a carefully curated list and then complete a series of follow-up activities and reflections. This assignment is not only popular with students, but also supplemented their formal learning, allowed students to engage more deeply with subjects of personal interest, and has created life-long learning opportunities while improving science literacy. The lesson plan guidelines shared here can be adapted to other branches of science.