This symposium will describe the "how" and "why" of communicating science in the public interest. The organizer, a new Fellow of the AAAS, believes passionately that it is the mission of all scientists to contribute to this endeavor. Through first-person narratives and personal histories, the panelists will describe what motivates them to write for the public, even though it is rarely given high regard in purely academic circles. They will also describe how they translate complex ideas to the public. All six panelists agree that the science must retain its integrity throughout the translation process; they believe in simplifying without "dumbing down." Panelists will describe some of the tricks and techniques they use to accomplish this. There will also be a practical discussion of how others can enter the field of popular science writing. We plan on the session being educational, fun, and humorous.