With a plethora of reports and literature pointing to the belief that most Americans are not scientifically literate, many have focused their efforts on trying to reverse the trend, and to make complicated scientific issues and research studies both understandable and accessible to the general public.

Lauren Bunn, who is entering her sophomore year in St. Rose High School, Belmar, was one of 22 students selected from around the country to participate in curiousYOUNGwriters (cYw), a program geared towards training high school students to craft engaging, easily understandable stories about science topics that are important, yet complex.

“I am excited about becoming a better science communicator and hope to help others learn about reducing our impact on the environment each and every day,” said Bunn.

According to the organization’s website, “cYw trains curious and creative high school communicators to bring complex bioscience to the general public through the power of story.”

Premising its purpose on the fact that fewer than seven percent of American adults are considered “scientifically literate,” the organization carries the mission of broadening public understanding of these issues that can profoundly impact the world. This is done in part by focusing on innovative research taking place throughout the field.

cYw each year selects a group of high school students for its rigorous training program, providing participants the chance to work closely with professional science and communications mentors throughout the year as they hone their skills in research, writing and editing. Training also touches on how to create supportive graphics to help tell complex stories, as well as how to publicize completed works.

Bunn, 14, attended cYw’s kick-off Communications Forum, which took place June 6 in Monmouth University, West Long Branch.

Jayne Mackta, cYw founder and creative director, and a Bradley Beach resident, expressed her excitement about the program, as well as the potential that it carries especially for members of Bunn’s generation.

 “By training high school students to be clear thinkers and better communicators, cYw is beginning to address the next generation’s pressing need to understand complex science and technology that will affect their personal health and well-being, as well as that of the world around them,” she said. “We are thrilled to have Lauren as part of this innovative collaborative program.”

For more information, visit www.curiousyoungwriters.org.