Description

The Darlene Schmidt Science News Award seeks out journalists and science writers who demonstrate keen effort to report on the work of professionals in nuclear science and technology fields. Nominees should have published a single long-form article (more than 700 words), multiple short articles, or a video of no more than five minutes, pertaining to any of the fields represented by ANS technical divisions and working groups. This bi-annual award acknowledges an accurate, innovative, and well-researched science-related media story, or portfolio of stories, readily accessible to the general public. It seeks to draw the public’s attention to quality media coverage related to science, technology, engineering, and math, including, but not exclusive to, nuclear applications.

The awardee(s) will be invited to the ANS Winter Conference. Transportation and lodging will be provided up to $1,500 for coach/economy airfare or ground transportation and parking*, up to two nights hotel, and transportation to/from airports. Registration for the ANS Winter Meeting will be provided at no charge. Ground transportation will be provided as mileage reimbursement based on the federal government rate at the time of travel and will require documentation of mileage from the recipient’s home to the conference hotel. Receipts must be provided to ANS for expense reimbursement.

* Ground transportation will be provided as mileage reimbursement based on the federal government rate at the time of travel and will require documentation of mileage from the recipient’s home to the conference hotel. Receipts must be provided to ANS for expense reimbursement.

Background

This award was established in 2017 by ANS and is named after former ANS staff member Darlene Schmidt, the first ANS staff member dedicated to outreach efforts on behalf of the Society. The award is currently jointly administered by the ANS External Affairs Committee and Honors and Awards Committee.

It is funded by a contribution from Roger W. Tilbrook (ANS member, and former interim executive director).

Selection Method

Nominations are made using an online form. Individuals or organizations may nominate an article or video, or group of articles or videos, for consideration. Judges represent a balanced selection of ANS members who have experience as educators, media producers and science professionals, who bring knowledge about the media and scientific quality of written explanations. Judges will offer commentary about the winning entry, which will be released when the winner of the award is formally announced.

Qualifications:

1. Entries must have been published or broadcast in print, online, or on the air by a media outlet intended for the general public. Articles in scientific or professional journals or exclusively for a scientific professional readership will not be considered.
2. To ensure the relevancy of the award, articles must have been published within two years of nomination.
3. Entries may be authored by individual reporters or by more than one contributor to an individual piece or series.
4. No entry fee is required.
5. Nominations can be submitted by all ANS members or qualifying journalists who self-nominate. Permission from the author(s) or media outlet is not required. Nominees will be informed in advance of the award only if they are selected as finalists.
6. The selected honoree(s) should be available to attend at least one day of the ANS Winter Meeting and speak to nuclear professionals about the craft of reporting science news and/or their experience as a science journalist.

Who May Apply?

1. Journalists and science writers are encouraged to apply.
2. Individuals or organizations may nominate an article or video, or group of articles or videos, for consideration.
3. Nominees should have published a single long-form article (more than 700 words), multiple short articles, or a video of no more than five minutes, pertaining to any of the fields represented in ANS technical divisions and working groups as represented on ans.org.
4. Nominees must be willing to attend the ANS Winter Conference and speak to nuclear professionals about the craft of reporting science news and/or their experience as a science journalist.

Judging

Judges represent a balanced selection of ANS members who have experience as educators, media producers and science professionals, who bring knowledge about the media and scientific quality of written explanations. Judges will offer commentary about the winning entry, which will be released when the winner of the award is formally announced at the ANS Winter Conference.

Scoring

Submissions will be rated on a scale of 1 to 5 in each of the five categories below. Awards will be provided to the top-rated portfolio. In the case of a tie, the selection committee will conduct a run-off review. The judging criteria favors high-quality writing that is reliably sourced and researched, with a strong narrative and good use of scientific evidence to support talking points.

1. Creative Engagement: Writer adopts a non-technical tone and tells a creative, engaging story about science, technology, engineering and/or math subjects.
2. Audience Awareness: Writer’s overall article is clear and understandable to a non-scientific audience. Jargon is avoided or clearly explained.
3. Consistency: Writing demonstrates writer’s consistent quality and attention to scientific detail. Whether in a single long-form, in-depth piece or multiple short articles or videos, the author includes reliable sources with distinctive points of view and reinforces points with supporting data, facts or examples.
4. Content: Supporting scientific information such as tables and visuals are clearly presented and explained. Writer draws accurate conclusions from analyzed data.
5. Writing/Reporting: Readers/viewers find text or video well organized and logical, free of spelling and grammar errors.