Science Communication Tools: Rubrics for Generating Posters and Manuscripts That Are Authentic to the Practice of Science

Authors

• Tamarah Lynne Adair, Baylor University
• Swati Agrawal, University of Mary Washington
• Yesmi P. Ahumada-Santos, Universidad Autonoma de Sinaloa
• Regina Alvarez, Dominican College of Blauvelt
• Kirk Anders, Gonzaga UniversityFollow
• Rebekah F. Hare, Gonzaga UniversityFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

Kirk Anders: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3372-1379

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education (JMBE)

Abstract

Traditional undergraduate science courses often prioritize content mastery over authentic engagement with the scientific process. Course-based research, also referred to as course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), addresses this limitation by immersing students in authentic scientific practice. In course-based research, assessment practices can also mirror the authentic scientific practice, where extensive formative feedback supports refinement of skills and understanding. Here, we present two rubrics designed to support the teaching and assessment of science communication in a way that reflects how scientists prepare to disseminate their research findings. One rubric is for creating scientific posters and another for writing short-format manuscripts. Developed by approximately 100 faculty members who collaboratively implement CUREs through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Science Education Alliance (SEA) program, these rubrics outline the authentic steps scientists take when preparing to communicate their research and provide performance levels that clarify expectations for both students and instructors. Together, these tools aim to further align undergraduate science education and authentic scientific practice.

Pages

e00313-25

html

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00313-25

Publisher

American Society for Microbiology

Volume

27

Issue

1

Publication Date

2-24-2026

Keywords

course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURESs), science communication, assessment rubrics, authentic scientific practice, scientific posters, short-format manuscripts

Disciplines

Biology | Higher Education | Science and Mathematics Education

ISSN

1935-7877

Recommended Citation

Adair TL, Agrawal S, Ahumada-Santos YP, Alvarez R, Anders KR, Antunes M, Ayuk M, Báez-Flores ME, Bailey D, Baliraine FN, Balish MF, Bancroft CT, Barmoy M, Bates TC, Beyer A, Bhalla S, Bollivar D, Bono LM, Bortz R, Bouklas T, Butela K, Byrum CA, Carroll M, Caruso SM, Castro N, Clase K, Clermont K, Coleman ST, Connerly PL, Garcia Costas AM, Cresawn SG, D'Elia T, Danley A, Dennis MK, Diaz A, Doyle EL, Duffy I, Edwards DC, Eivazova E, Engstrom E, Fillman C, Fleischacker CL, Frost VJ, Garcia JT, Gibb BP, Gleichsner AM, Gusky S, Hare RF, Heller D, Hughes LE, Kagey JD, Kirkpatrick B, Klyczek KK, Kohl KP, Kotturi H, Lee-Soety JY, Lindberg H, Manish B, Markov SA, Mastropaolo MD, Melton JT, Mitchell J, Molloy SD, Monti DL, Morales TP, Mussi MA, Nance H, Nieto F, Nsa IY, Page ST, Parra-Unda R, Phuntumart V, Pickett BE, Pollenz RS, Reardon SN, Rocheleau J, Rossier O, Rowland NS, Rudner AD, Rueschhoff EE, Sivanathan V, Smith Caldas M, Sunnen CN, Swerdlow SJ, Tchedre K, Thoemke K, Tobiason D, Tolsma SS, Turley-Stoulig T, Vega Q, Waikel P, Ward C, Ware VC, Washington JM, Westholm DE, Wilkes B, Williams D, Williams E, Wisner EM.2026.Science communication tools: rubrics for generating posters and manuscripts that are authentic to the practice of science. J Microbiol Biol Educ.27:e00313-25.https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00313-25

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