A model for translational science in undergraduate classrooms

Embedding communication concepts in forecasting training increases students' understanding of ecological uncertainty

“…We note that students' ability to correctly identify that uncertainty should increase the further into the future a forecast is made (Q2) showed only marginal growth (Figure 3b), leaving room for improvement in teaching this foundational concept of ecological forecasting (sensu Dietze et al 2018) Integration of decision support concepts into ecology curricula Integrating applied decision-making concepts into ecological forecasting and uncertainty communication lessons heeds a widespread call to make ecological research more societally relevant (e.g., Belovsky et al 2004, Ruhl et al 2022. Training that incorporates components of translational ecology (e.g., science communication, end user engagement, structured decisionmaking, multidisciplinary training) has long been recommended for ecologists at all career stages (Robinson et al 2012, Schwartz et al 2017, Eisenhauer et al 2021, but resources targeted at the undergraduate level have been lacking (Bakermans and Pfeifer 2018). Our module aims to close this gap by incorporating complex water management decision-making scenarios with multiple end users to engage students in solving real-world problems, while also developing visualization literacy skills.…”

Embedding communication concepts in forecasting training increases students' understanding of ecological uncertainty

“…Integrating applied decision‐making concepts into ecological forecasting and uncertainty communication lessons heeds a widespread call to make ecological research more societally relevant (e.g., Belovsky et al, 2004; Ruhl et al, 2022). Training that incorporates components of translational ecology (e.g., science communication, end user engagement, structured decision‐making, multidisciplinary training) has long been recommended for ecologists at all career stages (Eisenhauer et al, 2021; Robinson et al, 2012; Schwartz et al, 2017), but resources targeted at the undergraduate level have been lacking (Bakermans & Pfeifer, 2018). Our module aims to close this gap by incorporating complex water management decision‐making scenarios with multiple end users to engage students in solving real‐world problems, while also developing visualization literacy skills.…”

Improving Environmental Decision‐Making Through Integrated Governance, Public Engagement, and Translational Approaches

“…The Great Problems Seminar at Worcester Polytechnic Institute trains undergraduates to be active problem‐solvers, engage with stakeholders, address complex open‐ended problems, and work on teams, all of which are key for translational ecology work (Bakermans and Pfeifer ). An involved course like this requires support from community partners, faculty, student mentors, and library staff.…”