Tuesday, August 5, 2008: 1:30 PM-5:00 PM
202 B, Midwest Airlines Center
OOS 9 - Ecological Literacy in Public Audiences: Building Upon Successful Strategies and Defining the Research Agenda
This session will focus on youth and adult attitudes, understanding, and behavior with respect to ecology. We will feature research papers, case studies, and synthesis papers related to both youth and adult ecological education and outreach. Miller’s notable work researching public understanding of science will serve as the keynote of our discussion. From there, Reynolds and Krasny will focus their research on integrating different formal and informal learning audiences with members of the community to promote ecological understanding. Ballard, Thomas, and Jordan will discuss research on how ecologists can engage public audiences, but each will take a different perspective with respect to stakeholder initiation and ultimate benefits. Community-, individual-, and scientist-driven projects will be discussed with respect to scientific and human educational outcomes in each of these three presentations. Finally, Stylinski and Jablonski will discuss important issues with respect to the integration of different tools and audiences. Both methodological and social issues, especially as they pertain to underserved audiences, will be discussed. Our intent is to collectively develop a research agenda that can guide future work. We intend to follow our session with a special section where a future research agenda regarding public understanding of ecology can be developed.
Organizer:Rebecca Jordan, Rutgers University
Co-organizers:Julie A. Reynolds, Duke University
Heidi L. Ballard, University of California - Davis
Moderator:Rebecca Jordan, Rutgers University
1:30 PMOOS 9-1Approaches to public participation in research: Exploring opportunities for ecology and ecological literacy
Jennifer L. Shirk, Cornell University, Rick Bonney, Cornell University, Marianne Krasny, Cornell University
1:50 PMOOS 9-2Public understanding of science
Jon D. Miller, Michigan State University
2:10 PMOOS 9-3Learning in and with the community: A review of how science educators connect classroom and community learning
Julie A. Reynolds, Duke University, Jennifer Ahern-Dodson, Duke University
2:30 PMOOS 9-4Engaging the public through involvement in ecological research and monitoring: Why, how, and when?
Heidi L. Ballard, University of California - Davis
2:50 PMOOS 9-5Citizen water-quality monitors, college student interns, and community leadership: Benefits for stakeholders including scientists
Carolyn Lee Thomas, Ferrum College
3:10 PM Break
3:20 PMOOS 9-6Research on adult learning gains in an ecologically oriented project
Rebecca C. Jordan, Rutgers University, Joan G. Ehrenfeld, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Steven Gray, Rutgers University, Edwin McGowan, Palisades Interstates Parks Commission, Edward Goodell, NY-NJ Trail Conference
3:40 PMOOS 9-7Changing public behavior: Increase citizen involvement using target audience research
Elaine L. Andrews, University of Wisconsin
4:00 PMOOS 9-8News media impacts on public understanding and attitude about environmental issues
Cathlyn Stylinski, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Martin Storksdieck, Institute for Learning Innovation
4:20 PMOOS 9-9Bridging citizen scientists and ecological citizens: Interactive science programs at Biosphere 2
Mitchell Pavao-Zuckerman, University of Arizona, Travis E. Huxman, University of Arizona, Barbara Morehouse, University of Arizona
4:40 PMOOS 9-10Are there missing links? Delivering ecological concepts for environmental justice
Leanne M. Jablonski, Marianist Environmental Education Center, Charles H. Nilon, University of Missouri-Columbia, George A. Middendorf, Howard University

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See more of The 93rd ESA Annual Meeting (August 3 -- August 8, 2008)