It’s late on a Wednesday night, and I’m replaying the conversation I just had with a student in Mann. They’d been working tirelessly for their project team, iGEM, and their excitement was truly contagious — explaining synthetic biology to me like they were talking about a favorite hobby. I walked away not just with quotes for an article, but with a new appreciation for the brilliance and dedication hidden in every corner of campus.
That’s what being on The Sun’s Science team is like. One week you’re interviewing students who spend their weekends competing in a birding marathon, tallying species across Western New York with a mix of scientific precision and pure joy. The next, you’re speaking with materials scientists whose nanofiber bandages could change the future of medicine. The stories span disciplines, but they share a common thread: Cornellians pushing the boundaries of knowledge, often in ways that deserve to be celebrated far beyond the walls of a lab or lecture hall.
Our job in Science is to tell those stories. We want to highlight the incredible research being done by both students and faculty, and to bring the world of science to readers who might not otherwise encounter it. Covering STEM at Cornell means you get to peek into fields you may never study yourself, but still leave with a sense of awe and a story that sparks curiosity in others.
And while the bylines are rewarding, the skills you develop as a science writer are just as valuable. You’ll learn how to take complex, technical information and make it clear, accurate, and engaging — a skill that’s in demand in journalism, research, medicine, policy, and beyond. You’ll become a sharper interviewer, a better listener, and a more versatile writer. You’ll also develop the time management and communication skills that come with meeting deadlines, collaborating with editors, and shaping a piece from idea to publication.
Most importantly, you’ll be in a supportive environment that fosters growth. In Science, we help each other improve, whether that means giving feedback on a draft, talking through a tricky interview question, or brainstorming the best way to frame a story. Everyone comes in with different levels of experience, and we value curiosity and effort just as much as polished writing.
Being part of The Sun’s science section means you’ll leave Cornell not just with memories of the stories you’ve told, but with the skills and confidence to keep telling them wherever life takes you.
So, join us. You’ll get a front-row seat to groundbreaking research and student innovation at Cornell and the chance to be the voice that makes sure that work is seen, understood, and appreciated.
