Magazines have been around for ages, and now we’re seeing more and more online magazines. What makes online publications special is that they’re available in the next instant, with the click of a mouse. This accessible aspect of magazines is what drew me in; so, I created the Catalyst magazine. The Catalyst is a scientific online magazine in the form of a website, showcasing works done by students in addition to science news and popular debate. With sections similar to a standard newspaper in addition to fun science-related content and publications, readers will already be familiarized with the style and format as soon as they land on the home page.
I started creating the Catalyst this summer with a specific goal, which was to create a community among scientific minds. Many magazines that you view online or in-stores are filled with photography, news, and advertisements. The Catalyst plans to feature more than a collection of news and articles; it aims to bring individuals together to create a space for students, by students. In an easily accessible website online, you can view the contents of the publications, which will likely be centered around topics that peak your interest in various fields of study. To emphasize my previous point, the magazine will be displayed in the form of its own website. I had done some research before beginning this project, and found that web pages are the most easily accessible (in comparison to flipbooks, paper magazines, and digital downloads) and are most likely to have the greatest outreach. And that’s the goal–to reach out to as many scientific minds as possible.
My plans for the magazine going forward are to complete the website design along with advertising the magazine on various social media platforms, like Instagram and TikTok. I plan on creating an account for the magazine on both platforms, encouraging students of all ages to check it out and submit their work. Besides a display of written articles and media, I plan on creating an opinions section for anyone interested to submit their ideas about certain topics, providing new insights. For those who don’t often hear or know about science but have an interest, this section could spark new ideas and thoughts. Additionally, I plan on creating a research spotlight for students to submit their research, whether it’s in a slideshow, research paper, or video format. It would be refreshing to have an opportunity for student researchers to showcase what they’ve done, and perhaps allow comments and suggestions from peers and professionals. A newsletter will be set up first thing after the magazine gets its first few article submissions, emailing students about weekly updates and possible opportunities related to science. I envision that this magazine can do more than just share ideas and cool topics, but rather get others involved and engaged in an online scientific community.
The biggest goal I have is to be able to reach so many individuals with the online content and newsletter emails, that I could start making printed copies. That’s off the table for right now, since my main priority is to get the website running and reach out to as many students and scientists as possible. But, I do see this magazine in many forms—newsletters, web pages, and printed copies. To organize and teach others about science through this platform would be exciting, and that’s what I hope Catalyst accomplishes in the next few months.
Check out Catalyst below!
I started creating the Catalyst this summer with a specific goal, which was to create a community among scientific minds. Many magazines that you view online or in-stores are filled with photography, news, and advertisements. The Catalyst plans to feature more than a collection of news and articles; it aims to bring individuals together to create a space for students, by students. In an easily accessible website online, you can view the contents of the publications, which will likely be centered around topics that peak your interest in various fields of study. To emphasize my previous point, the magazine will be displayed in the form of its own website. I had done some research before beginning this project, and found that web pages are the most easily accessible (in comparison to flipbooks, paper magazines, and digital downloads) and are most likely to have the greatest outreach. And that’s the goal–to reach out to as many scientific minds as possible.
My plans for the magazine going forward are to complete the website design along with advertising the magazine on various social media platforms, like Instagram and TikTok. I plan on creating an account for the magazine on both platforms, encouraging students of all ages to check it out and submit their work. Besides a display of written articles and media, I plan on creating an opinions section for anyone interested to submit their ideas about certain topics, providing new insights. For those who don’t often hear or know about science but have an interest, this section could spark new ideas and thoughts. Additionally, I plan on creating a research spotlight for students to submit their research, whether it’s in a slideshow, research paper, or video format. It would be refreshing to have an opportunity for student researchers to showcase what they’ve done, and perhaps allow comments and suggestions from peers and professionals. A newsletter will be set up first thing after the magazine gets its first few article submissions, emailing students about weekly updates and possible opportunities related to science. I envision that this magazine can do more than just share ideas and cool topics, but rather get others involved and engaged in an online scientific community.
The biggest goal I have is to be able to reach so many individuals with the online content and newsletter emails, that I could start making printed copies. That’s off the table for right now, since my main priority is to get the website running and reach out to as many students and scientists as possible. But, I do see this magazine in many forms—newsletters, web pages, and printed copies. To organize and teach others about science through this platform would be exciting, and that’s what I hope Catalyst accomplishes in the next few months.
Check out Catalyst below!
