Science Communication Services
Helping STEM professionals communicate with real-world audiences. From fellowships and workshops to exploring your work’s broader impact, collaborating with OMSI makes your career in STEM anything but your average 9-5.
Fellowship Application - Fall 2022
The application for the Fall 2022 Cohort Science Communication Fellowship program, held at OMSI in Portland, OR, is now open.
Application Deadline
August 1, 2022
Applicants will be notified of acceptance by September 5, 2022
Fall 2022 Cohort Workshop Dates
Workshop 1: Thursday, September 29, 2-5pm
Workshop 2: Thursday, October 27, 2-5pm
Workshop 3: Thursday, November 17, 2-5pm
Workshop 4: Saturday, December 3, 1-5pm
Fellows will also work individually or with a team to develop a hands-on activity related to their current work. Ample concept development and materials support will be provided by OMSI staff, including one 1-2 hour meeting at each Fellow’s lab or workplace. Individual meetings will be scheduled between September 29 and November 17.
Tuition & Scholarship Details
Tuition for the program is $1,500 per participant. Most participants secure funding through grants or through the support of their affiliate organizations. If you would like our assistance in pursuing support, by providing language to use in requests and proposals, please reach out to Andrew Haight at ahaight@omsi.edu. Some scholarship funding is available this spring, please inquire for details.
OMSI Climate Change Tuition Scholarship
Eligibility: Any professional (including researchers, practitioners, students, etc.) working in a field related to climate change and/or climate change policy. Special consideration will be given to applicants who have experience advising or working with policy makers. OMSI Climate Change Fellows may be asked to participate in special themed programming at OMSI.
Maximum request: $750
OMSI IDEA Tuition Scholarship
Eligibility: Any applicant who would contribute to inclusivity, diversity, equitability, and accessibility (IDEA) efforts in our programming.
Maximum request: $500
OMSI Center for Innovation Tuition Scholarship
Eligibility: OMSI is committed to developing experiences that will inspire tomorrow’s innovators to tackle real world problems through building, making, testing, iterating and becoming agents of change. This scholarship is for any professional (including researchers, practitioners, students, etc.) whose work highlights human centered design and/or design thinking.
Maximum request: $750
Questions
Please contact Andrew Haight, Director of Guest Engagement at ahaight@omsi.edu or (503) 797-4669.

Fellowship

OMSI Science Communication Fellows are STEM professionals or industry and academic researchers, including faculty, graduate students, technicians, or other individuals in science, engineering, health, or technology related positions. After participating in specialized training, Fellows are certified by OMSI as current science ambassadors and skilled communicators. Fellows join a community of STEM professionals passionate about helping public audiences engage with STEM in meaningful and relevant ways.
What's in it for you?
- Communication training grounded in research around best practices in informal science education.
- Ongoing opportunities to engage with museum visitors and communities around the state.
- Official OMSI Science Communication Fellowship certificate of completion and letters of acknowledgment as needed.
- Regular networking opportunities with local scientists committed to public engagement and education professionals.
- Complimentary admission to Science Communication Extensions - an occasional professional development workshop series focusing on a variety of science communication topics.
- Museum membership.
What does it take?
- Participation in OMSI's Science Communication "Short Course," a series of four professional development workshops focused on building skills to effectively communicate with public audiences. (Workshops are 3–4 hours each, spaced over 3–4 months.)
- Collaboration with museum educators to develop a unique, hands-on activity and display representing each Fellow's work.
- Participation in a minimum of three public programs a year. Most Fellows participate in Meet a Scientist, a public program held on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, exclusively featuring Fellows with their hands-on, table-top activities.
Tuition Fee
There is a $1,500 tuition fee. Scholarships are available. OMSI staff can support your efforts to secure funding.

Broader Impacts

Collaborate with OMSI to create customized broader impact, education, or outreach plans for your NSF or other grant proposals. OMSI can help by facilitating participation in the Fellowship program, or by co-developing more complex education plans to submit as part of your proposals. Let OMSI’s team of experienced educators, program developers, and science communicators help strengthen your proposals and broaden the reach of your research.
Collaboration Possibilities:
- Include tuition for the Science Communication Fellowship for you or researchers on your team.
- Co-create a customized class on the topic of your research for our OMSI educators to teach locally, at our Coastal or Desert Camps, or for our Outreach team to take on the road throughout the Pacific Northwest.
- Develop a robust hands-on activity on your area of research to be facilitated at the museum by our educators for OMSI visitors.
- Work with the OMSI evaluation team to evaluate and prepare an in-depth report on the effectiveness of your broader impact activities.
Interested? Contact Us:
Contact Andrew Haight at ahaight@omsi.edu for further information. Please keep in mind we will need 3-6 weeks to prepare a full Broader Impacts plan and accompanying materials.

Custom Group Workshops

Custom science communication workshops engage groups of professionals in dynamic, hands-on and reflective activities designed to promote team building and introduce STEM experts to basic science communication concepts and techniques. These practices and theories are broadly applicable to a range of educational outreach settings including classroom programs, informal facilitation of a display or activity, or casual conversations. Work with OMSI staff to custom-design a workshop appropriate for your group.
Possible Workshop Goals:
- Introduce participants to fundamental concepts related to how general public audiences learn and understand science concepts throughout their lives.
- Identify and practice effective science communication strategies (like using analogies, framing concepts, avoiding jargon, etc.) that assist professionals in communicating complex information to a lay audience.
- Assist participants in developing meaningful and relevant messaging related to their own work.
Format and Logistics:
- OMSI staff can travel to facilitate the workshop at your location or you can hold your workshop on the OMSI campus. Travel fees may apply outside the Portland Metro area.
- Generally, workshops last at least 2-3 hours. Workshops can be designed as stand-alone experiences, or strung together in a multi-part series.
- Workshops generally take place in a classroom setting, with participants sitting in small groups around tables to facilitate hands-on interactive learning.
- Workshops can be designed to serve anywhere from 10 – 100+ participants (although smaller groups of no more than 25 participants is optimal for this format).
Cost Structure:
- Costs begin at $1,500 for a 1-3 hour workshop, serving up to 25 participants
Interested? Contact Us:
Contact Andrew Haight at ahaight@omsi.edu to discuss your needs and explore possibilities for what we can provide.
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Chelsea Batavia | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Forest Ecosystems and Society |
Dr. Raul Bayoan Cal | Portland State University | Associate Professor, Engineering |
Dr. Nicholas Beaird | Oregon State University | Post Doctoral Scholar, Physics of Oceans and Atmospheres |
Dr. Kara Becker | Reed College | Professor, Linguistics |
Nicholas Bira | Oregon State University | Masters Student, Mechanical, Industrial and Manfacturing Engineering |
Whitman Bouton | Oregon State University | STEM Educator |
Dr. Ying Cao | Oregon State University | Post Doctoral Scholar, Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering |
Reena Clements | Oregon Health and Science University | PhD Candidate, Neruoscience |
Elizabeth Cochran | University of Oregon | PhD Candidate, Chemistry |
Susan Cooper | University of Oregon | PhD Candidate, Chemistry |
Seth Crass | Trailblazer Foods | Food Scientist |
Nicholas Day | Portland State University | PhD Candidate, Chemistry |
Jenessa Duncombe | Oregon State University | Doctoral Student, Physical Oceanography |
Katherine Dziedzic | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Integrative Biology |
Christoper Eddy | Oregon State University | Doctoral Student, Physics |
Alex Emch | Oregon State University | Doctoral Student, Food Science and Technology |
Dr. Uchenna Emechebe | Oregon Health and Science University | Post doctoral Researcher, Knight Cardiovascular Institute |
Dr. Jennifer Fehrenbacher | Oregon State University | Assistant Professor, College Of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences |
Allison Gicking | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Physics |
Antonio Gomez | Oregon State University | Doctoral Student, Integrative Biology |
Dr. Sarah Gravem | Oregon State University | Post Doctoral Scholar, Integrative Biology |
Kelby Hahn | Oregon State University | Doctoral Student, Physics |
Tamasen Hayward | Washington State University, Vancouver | Masters Student, Biological Sciences |
Jessica Hebert | Oregon Health and Science University | PhD Candidate, Pathology |
Rebecca Hood | Oregon Health and Science University | Doctoral Student, Behavioral Neuroscience |
Karla Jarecke | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Forest Ecosystems and Society |
Christine Johnson | Oregon State University | Masters Student, Forestry |
Eleonora Juarez | Oregon Health and Science University | PhD Candidate, Molecular and Medical Genetics |
Heather Kitada | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Statistics |
Dr. Elizabeth Kusel | Portland State University | Doctoral Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering |
Valeri Lapacek | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Integrative Biology |
Dr. Davide Lazzati | Oregon State University | Associate Professor, Physics |
Mary Leonard | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Chemistry |
Haley Licon | Oregon Health and Science University | Masters Student, Microbiology and Immunology |
Dr. Annie Lindgren | Portland State University | Research Scientist, Biology, Center for Life in Extreme Environments |
Rebecca Maher | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Microbiology |
Dr. Daniel Malouli | Oregon Health and Science University | Staff Scientist, Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute |
Ryan Mansergh | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Chemistry |
Bethany Mathews | Oregon State University | Doctoral Student, Physics |
Aisha Mckee | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering |
Kavita Meduri | Portland State University | Doctoral Student, Mechanical Engineering |
Dr. Ethan Minot | Oregon State University | Associate Professor, Physics |
Ali Mousavian | Oregon State University | Doctoral Student, Physics |
Christina Mulch | Oregon State University | Masters Student, Horticulture |
Christina Murphy | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Fisheries and Wildlife |
Caroline Nash | Oregon State University | Doctoral Student, Water Resources |
George Neuhaus | Oregon State University | Doctoral Student, Chemistry |
Dr. Sang Park | Portland Community College | Instructor, Math, Science, Health and Phys Ed |
Blair Paulik | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Environmental & Molecular Toxicology |
Dr. Tina Penman | VA Portland/Portland State University | Audiologist and Regional Research Administrator |
Dr. Philip Pepe | Oregon State University | Instructor, Integrative Biology |
James Pflug | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Integrative Biology |
Branwen Purdy | Oregon State University | Masters Student, Mathematics |
Zuriel Rasmussen | Portland State University | PhD Candidate, School of Environment; Department of Geography |
Karen Roberts | Portland State University | Research Assistant, Mechanical Engineering |
Hannah Rolston | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Environmental Engineering |
Vanessa Rose | Washington State University, Vancouver | Doctoral Student |
Khadidiatou Sall | Oregon State University | Doctoral Student, Horticulture |
Dr. Elizabeth Savory | Oregon State University | Postdoctoral Scholar, Botany and Plant Pathology |
Prarthana Shankar | Oregon State University | Doctoral Student, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology |
Meredith Sharps | University of Oregon | PhD Candidate, Chemistry and Biochemistry |
Kestin Shulz | Oregon Health and Science University | Masters Student, Environmental Health |
Allison Shutterly | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Robotics and Mechanical Engineering |
Dr. Tara Smiley | Oregon State University | Post Doctoral Scholar, Integrative Biology |
Dr. Stephen Solovitz | Washington State University Vancouver | Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering |
Dr. Sean Speese | Oregon Health and Science University | Assistant Professor, Neurology, Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research |
Jenna Sullivan | Oregon State University | Doctoral Student, Integrative Biology |
Brian Turner | Portland State University | PhD Candidate, Environmental Science & Management |
Dr. Charlotte Vaughn | University of Oregon | Instructor, Linguistics |
Dr. Carl Wamser | Portland State University | Professor Emeritus, Chemistry |
Lu Wang | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Microbiology |
Dr. Sally Warner | Oregon State University | Research Associate, College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences |
Wei Wei | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Microbiology |
Dr. Edward Zaron | Portland State University | Research Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering |
Lulu Zhang | Oregon State University | Doctoral Student, Chemistry |
Liangdong Zhu | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Chemistry |
Dr. Rachel Atchley | Oregon Health and Science University | Neurology | 2015 |
Michelle Audie | Washington State University Vancouver | Environmental Science | 2017 to 2018 |
Lizzy Axton | Oregon State University | Molecular Toxicology | 2017 |
Bidisha Bhattacharya | Oregon Health and Science University | Environmental Engineering | 2014 to 2016 |
Jacob Buchanan | Oregon State University | Chemistry | 2016 to 2018 |
Caitlyn Clark | Oregon State University | Mechanical Engineering | 2016 to 2017 |
Dr. Yoanne Clovis | Oregon Health and Science University | Postdoctoral Scholar, Neurodevelopment | 2015 to 2017 |
Susan Cooper | University of Oregon | PhD Candidate, Chemistry | 2014 to 2018 |
Brandon Crockett | University of Oregon | Chemistry | 2014 to 2017 |
Brittany Cummings | Oregon Health and Science University | Environmental Health | 2016 to 2018 |
Shawn Decker | Oregon State University | Chemistry | 2014 to 2016 |
Vitaliy Dereviankin | Portland State University | Chemistry | 2013 to 2015 |
Dr. Jamie Eastman | Oregon Health and Science University | Epidemiology | 2014 to 2015 |
David Edwards | Oregon Health and Science University | Cancer Biology | 2015 to 2017 |
Edward Elliot | Oregon State University | Chemistry | 2014 to 2015 |
Kurtis Fairley | University of Oregon | Chemistry | 2014 to 2015 |
Dylan Fast | Oregon State University | Chemistry | 2014 to 2017 |
Celia Fiordalisi | Northwest University of Natural Medicine | Food Science | 2016, 2018 |
Bethany Foran | Global Grid Project | Engineering | 2015 to 2018 |
Brantly Fulton | University of Oregon | Chemistry | 2014 to 2016 |
Dana Garves | Oregon BrewLab | Beer Chemistry | 2015 to 2018 |
Adrienne Godschalx | Portland State University | Biology | 2015 to 2017 |
Natalie Hambalek | Oregon State University | Integrative Biology | 2015 to 2017 |
Dr. Benjamin Hanken | Oregon State University | Chemistry | 2014 to 2015 |
Emily Harris | Portland State University | Civil Engineering | 2016 to 2018 |
Dr. Annaliese Hettinger | Oregon State University | Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry | 2016 to 2017 |
Jeremy Hoffman | Oregon State University | Geology | 2015 to 2016 |
Laura Holden | Oregon State University | Environmental and Molecular Toxicology | 2016 to 2018 |
Laura Holloway | Portland State University | Biology | 2013 to 2014 |
Chelsea Holman | Oregon State University | Biochemistry and Biophysics | 2014 to 2018 |
Dr. Caroline Hostetler | Oregon Health and Science University | Behavioral Neuroscience | 2014 to 2016 |
B. Jeannie Hunnicutt | Oregon Health and Science University | Neuroscience | 2014 to 2015 |
Milton Jackson | University of Oregon | Chemistry | 2014 to 2016 |
Keith James | Portland State University | Chemistry | 2013 to 2015 |
Elizabeth King | Oregon State University | Ocean Ecology and Biogeochemistry | 2016 to 2017 |
Nicholas Larkey | Oregon State University | PhD Candidate, Chemistry | 2016 to 2017 |
Elena Mahrt | Washington State University, Vancouver | Zoology | 2014 to 2017 |
Dr. David Marsh | University of Oregon | Chemistry | 2015 to 2016 |
Jessica Martin | Oregon Health and Science University | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 2014 to 2015 |
Dr. Afua Nyarko | Oregon State University | Biochemistry and Biophysics | 2016 to 2018 |
Richard Oleksak | Oregon State University | Chemistry | 2014 to 2015 |
Cody James Pace | EDEN - Rentokil | Entomology | 2014 to 2016 |
Deok-Hie Park | Oregon State University | Chemistry | 2015 to 2018 |
Marie Payment | Oregon Health and Science University | Methamphetamine Abuse | 2014 to 2016 |
Dr. Cory Perkins | Oregon State University | Chemistry | 2014 to 2018 |
Christina Piedrahita | Portland State University | Biology | 2013 to 2014 |
Molly Radany | Portland State University | Biology | 2015 to 2016 |
Zuriel Rasmussen | Portland State University | PhD Candidate, School of Environment; Department of Geography | 2016 to 2018 |
Chase Reinhart | Portland State University | Chemistry | 2013 to 2015 |
Claire Riggs | Portland State University | Biology | 2015 to 2018 |
Dr. Armanda Roco | Oregon State University | Microbiology and Crop Soils | 2017 to 2018 |
Rachel Smith | University of Oregon | Chemistry | 2014 to 2016 |
Claudia Tausz | Oregon Health and Science University | Environmental Health | 2014 to 2016 |
Coral Tily | Environmental Protection Agency | Information Services | 2017 to 2018 |
Qi Tong | Portland State University | Chemistry | 2013 to 2015 |
Dr. Kari van Zee | Oregon State University | Biochemistry and Biophysics | 2014 to 2015 |
Prem Vuppuluri | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | Mechanical Engineer | 2013 to 2015 |
Dr. Christopher Walsh | Reed College | Chemistry and Environmental Studies | 2015 to 2018 |
Lindsay Wills | Oregon State University | Chemistry | 2014 to 2018 |
Morgan Wirthlin | Oregon Health and Science University | Behavioral Neuroscience | 2015 to 2016 |
Keenan Woods | University of Oregon | Chemistry | 2014 to 2016 |
Eric Young | Portland State University | Chemistry | 2013 to 2015 |
Have questions? We can help.
Contact Andrew Haight, Director of Guest Engagement at ahaight@omsi.edu or (503) 797-4669.