Congratulations to Dennis Baffour-Awuah who earned third place in the written communication category of the Science Storytelling Showcase! This contest is a graduate-level science communication competition, held in conjunction with the 2025 Western Region American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE) Conference. It aims to attract graduate students working in science communication by offering a platform to demonstrate their skills in transforming complex scientific research into engaging stories.
To participate, contestants submitted an engaging communication piece, either written or visual, that conveyed scientific research or ideas to a general audience through accessible and inspiring narratives or visuals. Entries were judged based on specific criteria.
As a winner, Dennis received a travel grant to attend the 2025 Western Region AAAE Conference, in San Marcos, Texas.
Dennis’ submission was an op-ed titled “No Foreign Genes, Just Smarter Science.” Explaining his choice of topic, he said, “Often, many people do not understand the concepts of genetic engineering or modification. These two are often confused or used interchangeably. My aim was to clarify their differences in simple terms, using clear examples and metaphors to make the information accessible and memorable for all readers. I also included real-world examples, applications, and benefits.” He also received feedback from the judges.
Dennis’s work will also be featured on the Growing Graduate Studies in Science Communication resource page, further increasing its impact. The 2025 Western Region AAAE Conference will take place in San Marcos, Texas, from the 15th to the 17th of September.