Exercise: Writing about others’ research

Like this post, this writing also comes from an exercise I did at a science communication seminar with Katherine Kornei. We were given resources pertaining to this study, which found that mice who are deaf at birth make the same vocalizations as mice who hear from birth. This means that in mice, unlike in humans, the ability to vocalize is innate.

This time, my intended publication was something very challenging: Highlights.

It was VERY challenging! Communicating science to kids is not my forte. But here it is!

Hearing Words

Ed the mouse cannot hear. He was born that way.

Gus the baby cannot hear. He was born that way. Ed and Gus are deaf.

Gus the baby drinks milk from his mom. Ed the mouse also drinks milk from his mom.

Gus the baby has brown hair like his dad. Ed the mouse also has brown hair like his dad.

“Say ‘momma’!” Gus’ mom says. Gus cannot hear her, and just smiles.

“Squeak!” Ed’s mom says. Ed cannot hear her.

“Squeak!” Ed says. He does not need to hear her to know how to squeak. He knew how to squeak when he was born.

Gus’ mom puts a hearing aid in Gus’ ear. The hearing aid lets Gus hear his mom! “Say ‘momma’!” Gus’ mom says. Gus hears her, and smiles.

“umma!” Gus says. He is almost right!