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Introducing: Kate Prengaman

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American


This is a series of Q&As with new, young and up-and-coming science, health and environmental writers and reporters. They - at least some of them - have recently hatched in the Incubators (science writing programs at schools of journalism), have even more recently fledged (graduated), and are now making their mark as wonderful new voices explaining science to the public.

Today we introduce you to Kate Prengaman (blog, Twitter).


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Hello, welcome to The SA Incubator. Let’s start from the beginning: where are you from?

Where I am from is a complicated question these days. I grew up in Ohio, went to the College of William and Mary, and then moved around for years working a variety of research projects as a field biologist in Florida, Alaska, and Nevada.

How did you get into science and how did you get into writing? And how did these two trajectories fuse into becoming a science writer?

I guess I have been into science as long as I can remember. As a kid, my sister and I ran around in the woods, chasing bugs and picking wildflowers. We even built a hospital for wounded grasshoppers and crickets. I was the girl at scout camp who would catch the spiders and carry them outside the tent while everyone else screamed.

My interest in journalism started in high school - I was the editor of the school newspaper and got my first taste of controversy with an infamous letter to the editor of the local paper. I loved doing journalism, but my favorite classes in high school were the sciences, because I had great science teachers. When I went to college, I knew I wanted to study biology and environmental science. I didn’t abandon journalism entirely - I took a job as the sex columnist for the campus newspaper my freshman year.

The column was a hit and I had a blast interviewing people for tips on losing one’s virginity or writing about the dangers of relying on alcohol to feel comfortable with sexuality. That column actually led me to science writing on the advice of a bio prof who told me that I had a great writing voice and I should consider a career in science writing. I had never realized that such a thing was possible, so it was definitely the moment I felt like my stars aligned.

Why did you decide to attend a journalism program, instead of just starting a blog and hoping to break into the science writing business?

Well, I spent some lovely years working in research - counting flower buds on rare plants in the Florida scrub, tracking the Mojave Desert’s response to wildfires, and making vegetation maps of national parks in Alaska and across the southwest. I learned a lot about science and got paid to hike outside everyday. I told myself I should start writing, since I told people that I wanted to be a writer, but I was busy hiking and exploring and I never found time to write. I realized that I needed the structure of school to kick me out of my inertia, so I applied to grad programs. Sometimes, when I’ve been staring at my laptop too long, I start wishing that I had never left field work. I certainly miss all the sunshine, but grad school is definitely its own adventure and I’m trying to make the most of it.

Which science writing program did you attend? Why did you choose that one? What are your best experiences there?

I decided to do my masters in journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work as a research assistant for Deborah Blum, doing background research for her next book. This job opportunity convinced me to come here, and I’ve learned just how much research really goes into writing a book. My program isn’t just for science reporting, my friends are interested in international journalism, social justice journalism, local journalism, and more. I like that we’re all learning how to apply journalistic skills and tools to such diverse issues.

What professional experience you have had so far – publications, internships, jobs? Feel free to include a bunch of links here! What is your current job?

For almost a year, I’ve been working as a reporting intern at the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. My main focus has been covering the frac sand mining industry that’s booming here in Wisconsin, but I’m reporting on some other environmental stories now too. I discovered a love for investigative journalism- it’s really about thinking like a scientist about reporting. I’m dipping my toes into freelancing too, and I blog about ecology and environmental science.

Apart from writing, do you also do other aspects of science communication, e.g., podcasts, video, art/illustration, photography, infographics, or do you do any coding, web design and programming?

I love maps! Making maps used to be a key part of my fieldwork, and when I got to journalism school, I was pleasantly surprised that my map skills were desirable in my new field. I took a couple of classes in the awesome UW cartography program and learned how to make more audience friendly maps and data graphics. At WCIJ I’ve been able to apply these skills to make some really cool graphics to help tell our stories. I’m surprised at how many tech skills I’ve had to pick up in j-school- building websites and making interactive maps were not things I expected to learn, but I’m really glad I did.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future are to figure out what I’m doing next! I graduate in May, so I am job searching, freelancing and applying for fellowships. Wish me luck as I try to navigate my way toward earning a living from my passions for science and investigative and environmental reporting.

Thanks!

No, thank you for having me!

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Previously in this series:

Kristina Ashley Bjoran

Emily Eggleston

Erin Podolak

Rachel Nuwer

Hannah Krakauer

Rose Eveleth

Nadia Drake

Kelly Izlar

Jack Scanlan

Francie Diep

Maggie Pingolt

Jessica Gross

Abby McBride

Natalie Wolchover

Jordan Gaines

Audrey Quinn

Douglas Main

Smitha Mundasad

Mary Beth Griggs

Shara Yurkiewicz

Casey Rentz

Akshat Rathi

Kathleen Raven

Penny Sarchet

Amy Shira Teitel

Victoria Charlton

Noby Leong and Tristan O’Brien

Taylor Kubota

Benjamin Plackett

Laura Geggel

Daisy Yuhas

Miriam Kramer

Ashley Taylor

Kate Yandell

Justine Hausheer

Aatish Bhatia

Ashley Tucker

Jessica Men

Kelly Oakes

Lauren Fuge

Catherine Owsik

Marissa Fessenden

Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato

Kelly Poe

Kate Shaw

Meghan Rosen

Jon Tennant

Ashley Braun

Suzi Gage

Michael Grisafe

Jonathan Chang

Alison Schumacher

Alyssa Botelho

Hillary Craddock

Susan Matthews

Lacey Avery

Ilana Yurkiewicz