Video: A Fruitful Burden | The Hitchcock Project for Visualizing Science In the banana plantations of Costa Rica, endocrine-disrupting chemicals are taking a hidden toll on workers, insects, birds, and the environment. A short documentary by Beatrice Bashibyukyan.

Amid Costa Rica’s lush banana fields, powerful pesticides banned in the EU are still sprayed on fruit shipped around the world. 🍌 These chemicals protect crops but leave workers, researchers, insects, birds, and entire ecosystems at risk.
By Beatrice Bashibyukyan
hitchcockproject.org/video-a-frui...

Why Should Latinos Care About Conservation? | The Hitchcock Project for Visualizing Science Latino Conservation Week seeks to get more Latino families outdoors. By Oscar Martinez/KUNR.

Latinos are disproportionately affected by environmental changes, more exposed to natural disasters, and face barriers to healthcare. Access to information is critical.
Learn more in this article by student Oscar Martinez for KUNR Public Radio.

🔗 hitchcockproject.org/why-should-l...

New Report Shows That Climate Change Added More Hot Days to Summer Climate change is adding hotter days to our calendar.

A new @climatecentral.org report shows how climate change has added more hot days to our summers — increasing risks for communities and ecosystems.
Read more in this article by Hitchcock student Oscar Martinez for KUNR Public Radio!
🔗 hitchcockproject.org/new-report-s...

How Social Media Images Can Make Us Care About Climate Change | The Mick Hitchcock, Ph.D., Project for Visualizing Science Are social media images the key to understanding climate change beyond numbers? A research review by Abdulmalik Adetola.

Images on social media can do more than catch our attention — they can make us care.

Student Abdulmalik Adetola wrote this research review based on a 2022 study in Climate Policy led by Bienvenido León from the University of Navarra, Spain.

hitchcockproject.org/research-rev...

#SciComm

The Sleep Deprivation Epidemic: An Exhaustive Overview | The Mick Hitchcock, Ph.D., Project for Visualizing Science A Q&A with sleep researcher Jessica Olsen. By Ai Ana Richmond.

Sleep — we all need it. But for many, quality sleep is hard to achieve (or even define).

Read this Q&A by Hitchcock student Ai Ana with sleep researcher Jessica Olsen to learn what good sleep really means—and how to get it. 😴

hitchcockproject.org/the-sleep-de...

Satire in Science Communication-When Humor Helps, and When it Hurts | The Mick Hitchcock, Ph.D., Project for Visualizing Science Is satire an effective way to share science? A research review by Abdulmalik Adetola.

Have you ever learned something from a joke? 🤔
When communicating science, humor can be a powerful tool for engaging audiences — but it can also backfire and hurt credibility.

Read research review by Hitchcock Project graduate assistant Abdulmalik Adetola.

hitchcockproject.org/research-rev...

🎙️ The Hitchcock Project & KUNR Public Radio are seeking a Fall 2025 intern!
If you're passionate about science and the environment and have basic audio recording/editing skills, this is a great opportunity for you!

📩 Contact Kelsey Fitzgerald: kmfitzgerald@unr.edu.

#SciComm #Reno #PublicRadio

College Scholarships - NATAS SF/NorCal 2025 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS   APPLICATION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2025   TO APPLY, FILL OUT THIS FORM   Scholarships will be awarded at the Gold & Silver Circle Induction Luncheon on Saturday. October 18...

Attention, aspiring filmmakers! The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, San Francisco/Northern California Chapter is now accepting applications for its College Scholarships. 🎬

Awards range from $3,000 to $5,000. 🗓️ Apply by September 1.

Learn more & apply: emmysf.tv/students-2/c...

Applications now open for the Wintermester 2026 Costa Rica Science Reporting Course! Travel with us and report from La Selva Research Station! 📅 Travel is planned for late December 2025 - early January 2026.

For questions, contact Jennifer Kent (jenniferkent@unr.edu)

🔗 forms.gle/arUmH4QdoRJM...

The Science Behind Your Hangover | The Mick Hitchcock, Ph.D., Project for Visualizing Science In this animated explainer, Bela Delos-Reyes walks us through the science behind alcohol-induced hangovers and what a big night of drinking does to your body.

🎉 Congratulations to student Bela Delos-Reyes!

Bela placed in the top 20 in the Multimedia Narrative Video Storytelling category at the Hearst Awards, for her animated explainer titled The Science Behind Your Hangover.
Congrats, Bela! Keep up the great work! 👏
hitchcockproject.org/the-science-...

The Nightmare Before Your Dreams | The Mick Hitchcock, Ph.D., Project for Visualizing Science Sleep paralysis, which occurs either as you drift off to sleep or as you wake up, involves a feeling of numbness and often hallucinations. However, it is not a normal experience.

Congratulations to student Alysha Cancino for placing among the top 20 in the Hearst Awards’ Innovative Multimedia category!

Alysha was awarded for her animated explainer, The Nightmare Before Your Dreams, where she explores sleep paralysis.

hitchcockproject.org/the-nightmar...

#SciComm

Where Does Water Go After We Use It? | The Mick Hitchcock, Ph.D., Project for Visualizing Science In this animated explainer, Aidan Mahe takes us on a journey through the water cycle, as water droplets travel from Earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back again.

🎉 Congratulations to RSJ student Aiden Maher for placing tenth in the Innovative Multimedia competition at the Hearst Awards for his animated explainer, Where Does Water Go After We Use It?

We’re proud of you, Aiden! 👏💧

📽️ Watch the video: hitchcockproject.org/where-does-w...

#SciComm

Left to right: Jennifer Kent, Claudia Cruz, and Dean Yun

Last week, Hitchcock Project director Jennifer Kent, Noticiero Movil's Claudia Cruz, and Dean Yun from the Reynolds School of Journalism travelled to the Hearst Awards at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco to celebrate the work of students who placed in the multimedia competition.

We’re so proud!

Mountain chickadee chatter: Scientists are decoding the songbird’s complex calls Mountain chickadees follow systematic grammarlike rules to share important information, stringing together syllables like words in a sentence.

🧠🔊 Mountain chickadees aren’t just chirping — they’re communicating! @unevadareno.bsky.social PhD student Sofia Haley produced this story for a Hitchcock Project course and it was now published by @us.theconversation.com!––with a video by reporter Jayanti Sarkar: theconversation.com/mountain-chi...

Four-Legged Firefighters Remove Invasive and Hazardous Species This spring in Reno, 900 sheep and 230 goats are hard at work on fire fuels reduction. By Ali Dickson/KUNR.

🐐🔥 Meet Reno’s four-legged firefighters! 900 sheep and 230 goats are munching through invasive plants to help prevent wildfires.

Read more in this story by science reporter Ali Dickson for KUNR Public Radio:

🔗 hitchcockproject.org/four-legged-...

#WildfirePrevention #SciComm

Room full of people, a screen showing a video interview, three students in front.

Our Costa Rica course wrapped up with a final presentation last Friday! Researchers, students, and guests gathered as students showcased their powerful multimedia final projects. We can’t wait to share them with you soon! 🌿🎥
We’re heading back this winter. Stay tuned for info on how to participate!

Why NFL stadiums should avoid artificial turf An animated explainer by Alin Beane breaks down the risks associated with artificial turf fields for football players.

Why are NFL players pushing for real grass over artificial turf? 🌱🏈 While turf is cheaper to maintain, its safety has come into question — its harder, hotter surface raises the risk of knee and ankle injuries.
Animated explainer by Alin Beane hitchcockproject.org/the-grass-is...

Grads of the Pack: Elizabeth Walsh | University of Nevada, Reno Biochemistry doctoral graduate Elizabeth Walsh was selected as a 2024 AAAS Mass Media Fellow. Here she shares her experiences in the Hitchcock Project for Visualizing Science and advice for scientists...

From lab coats to newsrooms 🧪📰 Meet one of this year’s #GradsofthePack: Elizabeth Walsh, a biochemistry Ph.D. graduate at @unevadareno.bsky.social and Hitchcock Project student who was awarded a 2024 @aaas.org Mass Media Fellowship. We can’t wait to keep reading her work!
www.unr.edu/nevada-today...

This past weekend, Hitchcock Project editor @kelsmcfitz.bsky.social participated in a climate adaptation panel at the Society of Environmental Journalists conference in Tempe. Kelsey represented @driscience.bsky.social's Native Resilience project. We are proud of you, Kelsey!

Research continues to show Nevada casinos expose patrons to secondhand smoke As Nevadans call for action to protect themselves from secondhand smoke and prevent tobacco addiction, researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno, are working to show the public and lawmakers the d...

🚬 New research from @unevadareno.bsky.social shows secondhand smoke spreads throughout Nevada casinos—even in “nonsmoking” areas. Despite ventilation, guests & workers are still exposed.

📝 Story by student Lily Wright for @thisisreno.bsky.social
hitchcockproject.org/research-con...

Rainy Skies and Rubber Boots: Reporting from the Rainforest of Costa Rica In March, fifteen journalism students immersed themselves in a weeklong adventure at La Selva Research Station. By Vanesa de la Cruz Pavas.

From howler monkeys and poisonous snakes to muddy hikes beneath rainforest trees — we’re back from our Costa Rica reporting trip and still buzzing! 🌿🐍 Check out the highlights with the Hitchcock Project, Reynolds School of Journalism & Noticiero Móvil ⬇️

hitchcockproject.org/rainy-skies-...

Reno: The Fastest-Warming Spring City The average springtime temperature in Reno increased 6.8 degrees between 1970 and 2024, the fastest of 241 cities analyzed. By Ali Dickson /KUNR.

Reno has the fastest-warming spring temperatures in the U.S.—with temps rising 6.8°F since 1970, according to @climatecentral.org. Learn more about why this isn’t the kind of top ranking we want in this story by student reporter Ali Dickson for KUNR Public Radio.
hitchcockproject.org/reno-the-fas...

Research Review: Can science comics aid lay audiences’ comprehension of forensic science? New science communication research tests the use of comics in the courtroom. By Abdulmalik Adetola.

Comics aren’t just for superheroes—they’re powerful tools for breaking down complex science in fun, visual ways! 🧬 A new study shows science comics can help jurors better understand forensic evidence. 🔍 Research review by student Abdulmalik Adetola: hitchcockproject.org/research-rev...

Reducing Plastic Straw Use Helped Lake Tahoe | The Mick Hitchcock, Ph.D., Project for Visualizing Science Volunteers have removed 31,000 plastic straws from Lake Tahoe’s environment over the last decade. By Ali Dickson /KUNR.

Cutting down on plastic straw use has made a real impact on Lake Tahoe—let’s keep it going! Volunteers have removed 31,000 plastic straws from Lake Tahoe's environment over the last decade. Read more from science reporter Ali Dickson for KUNR Public Radio.

hitchcockproject.org/reducing-pla...

What Makes a Typeface Readable? | The Mick Hitchcock, Ph.D., Project for Visualizing Science An animated explainer by Aaron Blum takes us through the fundamentals of eye-tracking and demonstrates how it can be used to support data-driven design decisions.

Selecting a readable font is about more than aesthetics! ✨👀 Eye-tracking technology reveals how readers navigate text by analyzing fixation points (pauses) and saccades (movements).

Animated explainer by student Aaron Blum. 👇

hitchcockproject.org/what-makes-a...

The Giant Leap Podcast, a new Reno-produced show, launches this Wed, April 9 at Craft Wine & Beer (6 PM)—and everyone’s welcome!
Our Hitchcock Project director, Jennifer Kent, will moderate a convo with hosts physicist Taylor Wilson & journalist Joey Lovato.

RSVP👇
www.eventbrite.com/e/launching-...

High School Students Get Firsthand Wildfire Training | The Mick Hitchcock, Ph.D., Project for Visualizing Science Students at AACT High School in Reno are receiving wildland fire training from the Bureau of Land Management. By Ali Dickson /KUNR.

Recently, high school students from the Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology took part in wildland fire training with the Bureau of Land Management. 🚒 Learn more in this article by science reporter Ali Dickson for KUNRPublicRadio.

hitchcockproject.org/high-school-...

Planting Winter Milkweed can Save Summertime Monarchs Milkweed waystations can give monarchs a needed boost. By Ali Dickson/KUNR.

Monarch butterflies need our help, and it starts with one simple step! Planting milkweed can be a game-changer for these iconic pollinators. Read more in this article by science reporter Ali Dickson for KUNR Public Radio.

hitchcockproject.org/planting-win...

The Hidden Risks of Football Hits: Understanding CTE An animated explainer about the causes of CTE and potential solutions to enhance plyaer safety on the field. by Eric Chernaev, Reynolds School of Journalism.

Football is an intense sport, but did you know every tackle and hit puts players’ brains at risk? In this explainer, student Eric Chernaev unpacks the science behind Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and explores ways to make the game safer for athletes.
hitchcockproject.org/the-hidden-r...

Narrative examples: 1. One-sided. "Jake" recognizes the importance of staying up-to-date with vaccinations. To learn about new COVID-19 vaccine, Jake consults credible sources like doctors and scientific literature. Vs. 2. Two-sided: "Jake" is hesitant to get vaccinated. He is concerned about side-effects. To learn about new COVID-19, Jake consults credible sources like doctors and scientific literature.

Scicomm Tip! Using one-sided narratives that focus on relatable characters and positiva emotions can create an emotional bridge that data anole cannot.

Can a story change someone’s mind about vaccines? Facts matter, but narratives tap into emotions. A study in Science Communication explores how storytelling, uncertainty, and message framing shape vaccine perceptions. Research review by Abdulmalik Adetola.

hitchcockproject.org/research-rev...