AU's science magazine, Catalyst, was just released in late October, but creator April Astor, a junior journalism major, already has the cover of the next issue planned - it'll feature "Swingers."
Dr. Susan Solarz, a biology department who advised Astor, said they hoped to catch students' attention by writing about issues that concern them and making references to pop culture. (The photo on the front cover of the first issue is a reference to the film "Reservoir Dogs.")
"The kind of science that most folks are interested in is science that affects all of us, and that's what the stories are about," Solarz said. "They're about looking at what's happening at AU and why and how it matters to everybody."
Catalyst is available now in the Hurst building and on the Internet through CAS's Web site. The second issue will be available next semester.
Astor, a biology minor, said she wanted to bridge her two interests into one project.
"AU didn't have a purely science publication, and I wanted to have one," she said. Astor originally planned it to be specifically about biology, but Solarz convinced her to make it about all sciences.
Solarz said she was excited by the opportunity to help gain recognition for the science programs at AU.
"There are so many exciting things going on in the sciences here on campus, and there wasn't a lot of information being put out," she said.
Astor said the magazine will focus on science-related issues on campus. In addition to articles about research done by students, Catalyst will feature student and professor profiles, internship opportunities and popular science classes.
AU alumnus Michael Menachem, a writer for Catalyst, said that he enjoys the chance to write about new things.
"Expanding your knowledge base is one of the best things you can do as a writer," he said.
Menachem said he was surprised with how much his assignments relate to everyday life. He said that in the next issue, he will write an article about music and audio technology.
"I thought it was just going to be all about science," he said, "but I'm actually writing about things that interest me."
Additionally, the current issue of Catalyst features an article concerning studen research of mixing cocaine and alcohol. Next semester's issue will look at a study on addictions - smoking in particular.
Astor and Solarz both said that the future of Catalyst will largely be shaped by student reaction and suggestions.
Solarz said she hopes Catalyst will spark interest in science on campus.
"So many critical debates in the nation are based on science," she said, citing stem-cell research, cloning and bioengineering as examples. "These kinds of things require us to have some information when we weigh in on debates"
