1. Sea Floor Science Communicating Science to Public Audiences Ocean Institute November 2003

2. The Problem Public and, in particular, students need access to today’s science Public and, in particular, students need access to today’s science Scientists need effective and efficient ways to meet broader outreach, O&E, PUR objectives

3. Solutions: Breaking Scientist Stereotypes don’t have time don’t have the proper rewards don’t have the money don’t know how subject matter is too complicated aren’t interested

4. Sea Floor Science: Redefining Exhibits and Programs Middle School Program seeks 18 hours involving students in the essence of research content, skills and context Exhibits that are scaleable from 3 minutes to 18 hours, Providing a tiered experience

5. Eight Distinct Treatments UnfacilitatedExhibit Self-Guided Tour On-site kits Take Home Science Facilitated Exhibit with Teaching Lab Explorations! Interactive Tour Interactive Forum Extended Course

6. It’s All about the Process Seduction 2.5 hour Translation Meeting Range of Opportunities Proposal developed by OI Project Development by OI Iterative evaluation by Science partners Third-party evaluation of effectiveness

7. The Future Informal Science Centers can serve as effective vehicles for translating science and surrogates for direct access to research labs and personnel

8. Establishing our own identity A premier ocean learning center engaging over 100,000 students each year in award-winning programs. On the weekends, it’s your turn to explore!

9. Primary messages are communicated through the site-wide collection of experiences. Exhibits are intended to perform most effectively within the context of the whole OI experience. Exhibits and the OI Experience

10. UnfacilitatedExhibit Self-Guided Exploration On-site kits Take Home Science Facilitated Exhibit with Teaching Lab Interactive Tour Interactive Forum Extended Course The OI Experience: 8 treatments

12. Convertibility Requirements Teaching stations must include solutions for: Maximum flexibility of use Storage of school/public program materials Self-guided interactive experience Deeper facilitated experience Ability to get wet and dirty Efficiency in adaptation to change Must not feel like an “exhibit” during school programs Must maintain essence of school program experience for the public

13. Workbench Computer with Internet access “Now you see it—now you don’t” signage Built-in storage Inexpensive signage Portability of components “Lived in” (“worked in”) look & feel Convertibility Approach All stations include:

14. Updateability Keys to updateability include: Inexpensive communication devices Ongoing effective partnership with research partners Exhibits play a supporting role for programs Appropriate technology “Rapid response” team

15. Accessibility to Research Use of real tools and technology Based on specific projects Focus on what we don’t know and how we know what we DO know Person-to-person interaction Focus on relevance Encourage question generation Provide opportunities to explore Humanize the science