Joint Biodiversity, Terrestrial Ecology and Related Applied Sciences Education and Public Outreach Breakout Session Friday, August 25, 2006

Education and Public Outreach (Breakout 2) -- Chairs: Anita Davis, Eric Brown de Colstoun -Rapporteur: Jeannie Allen -Participants: Ned Gardiner, Ivani Pereira, Jon Foley, John Mickelson, Saurabh Channan, Ned Horning, Robert Kennedy, Gary Geller, Blake Schaeffer

EARTH… GOOD!!!!

NASA Education Strategic Framework

Education Breakout Group Observations Q: Are NASA formal education and training programs (e.g., ESSF, GSRP, NIP, etc.) effective? How could they be improved? We could make better use of technology to interact with people around the world. Are we on the cutting edge? More than 1.5 billion of the planet using Internet everyday, 20 percent of human population. (e.g. myspace, text messaging) Diversity: We need to serve low-income learners. Diversity in its broad sense is one of six NASA criteria for excellence in education programs. Many NASA programs target minorities. Are women in sciences being promoted? Importance of Inspiring Students Students often miss the human, approachable side of how science really operates. In Brazil, LBA-funded programs have college students teaching K-12 teachers, and co-developing education products.

Q: What types of public education and outreach activities do Terrestrial Ecology, Biodiversity and Applied Sciences researchers engage in? How is the effectiveness assessed? Most of our programs lack strong evaluation components. LBA good example: NASA funded 80 percent of 670 undergraduate and graduate students’ work. Program is tracking student activities post-program, working on report to show program’s effect.] Scientists can get more involved. New Investigator Program examples Scientists can create mutually beneficial partnerships with E/PO professionals to craft realistic and audience-appropriate programs. More scientists can do this. Engage educators/students in “real”, hands-on science relevant to their world.

Q: How could the CC&E focus area act to improve public awareness of its research results and their importance? What is the researcher's primary responsibility and what should NASA do? Message: Currently our information is dispersed largely because of our organizational structure. We need a bold branding message that clearly identifies us. “NASA…Earth…Good” We have to tell compelling stories that can inspire — and in a direct and effective language. We (scientists) need to better ‘connect’ with the public on a more personal basis Note AMNH Center for Biodiversity Conservation Note Worldwind

Technology: Develop online communities interacting with one another. Note John Foley’s “Earth Collaboratory” – link global scale information to local knowledge from different kinds of people about what actually happens on the landscape. Website TK: earthcollaboratory.org Get together to develop and rally behind a bold branding message. (“We are the planetary guys with the global vision.” ) Public awareness requires public access: Stipulate in new RFPs that scientists must include this in layperson’s language in update reports: What’s your project about and why do I care? 5-6 sentences We have five years worth of stories at this conference. Have a centralized Web site for CC& E Education products, searchable according to how people think, not according to how NASA is organized. Hire Google to design the search engine (We’re not kidding!) Recommendations

Congressional Awareness: Hold Pecora 17 in Washington DC, and hold an academic outreach session for congressional legislators. Training: Offer half-day workshops to train scientists in education and outreach, piggybacked with science meetings such as this one. RFPs can recommend proposing scientists get training. Diversity: Consider linking with Earth Science Professional Women’s Network; create a branch around CC&E. Evaluation: Step back and undertake it on a comprehensive, agency-wide scope. Re-assess goals and objectives in order to know how to evaluate programs, and know your audience. Applications: Applied sciences needs to be brought fully into the EPO fold because these stories can provide a closer connection with the public.

To this Community: Link your education outreach efforts with existing projects and education outreach personnel to leverage your work. Involve educators in planning the next CC & E science meeting. Thank you for this opportunity! “These programs help to inspire our students to see beyond their classrooms and our area. These are the future scientists and engineers, and we want them to know that NASA is not just what they see on TV”. Sunny Minelli, Curriculum Specialist PA.