From field trips to Facebook: A low-cost model for conducting ecology outreach with urban minority high school students

Background/Question/Methods

Racial minorities are starkly underrepresented at all levels in ecology and marine science, for reasons ranging from minimal exposure to inappropriate academic training to feelings of isolation within the field.  Strong mentorship and early research and field work experience both contribute significantly to underrepresented minority students pursuing careers in ecology.  Many academic and governmental institutions have an interest in building relationships with local high schools but struggle to establish or maintain those connections.  This talk will present a case study of a small-scale educational outreach program at a Philadelphia high school whose goal is to increase entry and success of underrepresented minority and first-generation college students in ecology and marine science and then discuss strategies used to recruit and support students.

Results/Conclusions

The case study program included a group of twelve high school students, ethnically diverse and all the first generation in their families on track for college, and cost less than $1000.  To increase exposure to ecological ideas, the program was structured around a major ecological theme (food webs), introduced the students to major issues within that theme (e.g., food chain length and ecosystem size) and trained students to use tools of academic science to answer questions within that theme (e.g., diet and stable isotope analysis).  Students collected their own diet data, assembled those data in talk and poster form and presented their work at a university departmental talk and a local ecological research symposium.  Students also met and socialized with scientists in a range of fields in order to increase exposure to possible ecology careers.  The program used strategies not conventionally used in university settings for recruitment and retention, including home phone calls and visits, frequent texting, and use of social media such as Facebook.  Recent graduates were encouraged and supported to apply for funded summer research opportunities. Students consistently demonstrated their enthusiasm for the program and the content, and have been clamoring for more such opportunities.