Science Communication

UK Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences (UK-CARES) is excited to announce the following free virtual science communication workshops in 2026. These workshops will be offered annually.

SEPTEMBER WORKSHOP

A Free Online Workshop

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 | 1:00 - 4:00 PM (ET), VIRTUAL 

Every day, we all make decisions that require us to consider risk, but it can be challenging to communicate risk to others in compassionate, meaningful ways. We know more than ever about how risk information is processed in the brain, and applying those insights to our risk communication will help our audiences better understand risk and make more informed decisions about their health, safety, and the environment. Whether its letting people know about air quality alerts or translating technical information for community planning, effective risk communication can improve comprehension and decision-making while building relationships in the process.

In this 3-hour workshop, you will:

• gain a deeper understanding of the science behind risk communication;
• draft a plan for communicating risk around a topic that’s important for you;
• practice revising a key risk message to be more meaningful, compassionate, and
• actionable for your particular audience; and
• receive feedback on your message from peers and trainers

REGISTER NOW!

Compass Science Communication Workshop

Thursday, November 10, 1-4 pm ET, virtual, 3 hours

• Use the Message Box technique to develop clear, concise communication
• Led by COMPASS science communication experts. 

Registration opens in October

Incorporating Extreme Weather & Health in K-12 Curriculums Workshop, held August 2026

The Community Engagement Core hosted a free virtual workshop that focused on integrating extreme weather and health topics into K-12 classrooms. The session provided educators with strategies and examples of curricula for teaching the health impacts of extreme weather events. These topics aligned with Kentucky’s educational standards. Participants were potentially eligible for 2 hours of professional development credit. 95% of evaluation respondents stated they gained new insights into how extreme weather impacts health. 

Science Communication Fact Sheet Workshop, held February 2026

The Community Engagement Core hosted a Science Communication Workshop using fact sheets to translate research for public/lay audiences. The workshop was led by Dr. Bev Delidow with Marshall University. Participants learned how to create accessible, memorable fact sheets for their intended audience, with 100% of evaluation respondents reporting they plan to use what they learned in the workshop.