This October, The Ohio State University was thrilled to host over 200 hundred science writers from across the country for ScienceWriters2014.  This annual convention is organized by the National Association of Science Writers and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing to provide writers with the latest research in the field of science.  In attendance were writers from The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Reuters, NPR, NOVA, NBC News, The Atlantic, National Geographic, Scientific American, just to name a few.  During ScienceWriters14, attendees learned about cutting edge research from top scientists and researchers at The Ohio State University while also exploring the many sites and attractions Columbus has to offer.  

To help kick off the weekend, The STEAM Factory presented almost a dozen Ohio State faculty research and outreach projects at the opening reception of the convention. Founded by a collection of young and energetic Ohio State faculty, postdocs and staff, the STEAM Factory is a diverse and inclusive grass-roots network in the Ohio State community that facilitates creative and interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation and dissemination.  In addition to fostering collaborative relationships and research, the STEAM Factory actively works to disseminate research in creative and interactive ways.  

During the ScienceWriters2014 welcome reception, convention attendees engaged with STEAM faculty over some of latest innovation and research going on in the fields of medicine, mathematics, etymology, music and much more.  The STEAM faculty had the opportunity to discuss their research with writers from NPR, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Discover Magazine, Public Radio International and many other organizations.  Two faculty members, Delwin Lindsey and Angela Brown, described their experience as a great opportunity to disseminate their research to science journalists.  While sharing information about their research, they also gained valuable resources and connections to which they would not otherwise have been exposed.

The STEAM Factory currently consists of over 50 members representing nearly 40 different disciplines.  Every other Saturday, the STEAM Factory presents at the Market at 400 West Rich in Franklinton, a biweekly market that features local farmers, food vendors, artists, and entrepreneurs.

The STEAM Factory would like to enthusiastically thank the following faculty members for presenting their research at ScienceWriters14:

• Angela Brown, Department of Optometry
• Jon Brown, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Linda Carter, Department of Physics
• Jim Fowler, Department of Mathematics
• Anna Gawboy, Department of Music
• Susan Gershman, Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology
• Lisa Hall, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Roman Holowinsky, Department of Mathematics
• Matthew Kahle, Department of Mathematics
• Delwin Lindsey, Department of Psychology
• Arnab Nandi, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
• Rebecca Ricciardo, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Bart Snapp, Department of Mathematics
• Manoj Srinivasan, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

And a special thanks to artists, Andrew Lundberg and Ralph Walters, from 400 West Rich for sharing their talents during this event.