The USDA-funded Science Influencers program prepares students with the skills to share scientifically grounded information across multiple media platforms, including social media networks, blogs, and vlogs. To help provide the needed scientific knowledge and communication skills, the program features mentors in across scientific disciplines.
The program includes research, education, and extension activities with primary and collaborating mentors; ongoing mentor meetings; science communications coursework; professional development workshops in social media use and research; leadership skill development; and immersive learning experiences, such as paid internships, and partial expenses for research or study abroad, or research conferences.
Students with knowledge and communications experience in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are needed in the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences. Students will gain relevant scientific knowledge and professional communications experience through the Science Influencers program. The yearlong experience includes:
- Science communications course.
- Interaction with basic, applied, and social/behavioral science mentors.
- Ongoing activities to develop technical and leadership skills (i.e., critical thinking, problem solving).
- Paid summer internships (including scientific and technical communications training and social media experiences).
- Spring retreat and fall communications symposium.
- One elective outreach experience (e.g., research or study abroad).
Undergraduates enrolled at a Texas A&M University System university are encouraged to APPLY to become a Science Influencer.