Allyson Sheneman - Science Communication

Science Communication

Relevant Pages

I believe that communicating science is an essential skill for a well-rounded scientist, and pride myself in being able to utilize numerous methods and approaches to convey complicated concepts in accessible and engaging manners. Below are collections of science communication experiences I have had ranging from conferences to clubs, outreach to mentoring, and more!

Planetarium

Observatories

Conferences

Radio Talk Show & Podcast

Qualifications

Pursuing an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Science Communication

Conferences

Frontiers in Optics and Laser Science

FiO+LS October 2023 in Tacoma, Washington

Presented a talk on Biophysics/Optics research at the Undergraduate Symposium
Research Gate - SPIE Conference Paper

American Astronomical Society

American Astronomical Society (AAS) January 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana

Poster presentation on Telluric Contamination research
Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Award Recipient

Astrobiology Graduate Conference

AbGradCon June 2024 in Ithaca, New York

Poster presentation on Telluric Contamination research

Talks & Posters

Cornell University

Cornell Summer Research Poster Session Poster
Cornell Summer Research Presentation Talk

Physics & Astronomy Department

Summer Research Presentations (Physics & Astronomy - New Paltz) Talk
Physics Senior Project Presentations (Physics & Astronomy - New Paltz) Talk

Honors Thesis Presentation

Student Research Symposium

Biophysics - Student Research Symposium (SRS - New Paltz) Poster
Genomics - Student Research Symposium (SRS - New Paltz) Poster

Hudson Valley Life Sciences Symposium

Science Communication & Outreach

Radio Talk Show and Podcast

"Curiosities of the Cosmos with Allyson Sheneman" is my Radio Talk Show and Podcast. Weekly episodes featuring a guest discussing STEM topics to make science fun and scientists more accessible.

Creator, Writer, Host, Producer, Social Media, etc.

Planetarium Shows

Dozens of Planetarium Shows (December 2021 - May 2024)
Specializing in Spanish shows, Meditation Under the Stars shows, and Public shows
Additional experience in Private shows, Elementary shows, Girls Scouts shows, Alumni shows, and Science Teachers Association of New York State shows

Planetarium Outro.mp4

In starting the social media presence for the planetarium, I pursued many avenues of engaging the public. One series I made, highlighted in the video above, was to take small portions of my shows and upload them so that people who couldn't attend or may be unfamiliar with planetarium shows may find themselves interested in attending. This video, as well as others in this series, reached thousands of people, helping to put this planetarium on the map!

Planetarium Social Media

After noticing a lack of science communication and outreach on my campus, I began volunteering through the Planetarium to create, manage, and keep active a social media presence for Astronomy on my campus.

Sparks in Action Podcast advertisement with Allyson Sheneman

Podcast Feature

Donna Sherman's "Sparks in Action" Podcast featuring the SUNY New Paltz Planetarium Director and myself.

podcastclip.mp3

Listen to a short clip of the podcast above and find the full episode anywhere you get your podcasts!

Sparks in Action: Cosmic Perspectives

Observatory (Smolen)

Observatory - Muriel & Jack Smolen Observatory (Public Nights: August 2021 - May 2024)

Observatory (Fuertes)

Observatory - Fuertes Observatory (every Friday in Summer 2023)

Astronomy Camp Presenter

Through Cornell University's Spacecraft Planetary Imaging Facility (SPIF), I assisted with the planning and execution of Groton Camp Astronomy Outreach focused on pre-college interest in science. Assisted with experiments such as building a comet with dry ice and with activities such as building a scale model of the Solar System. (Summer 2023)