Recommendations for Science Outreach Program Development: Perspectives from Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Consortia

Beresford, Sara; Fillingham, Katie; Miller‐Way, Tina

doi:10.1002/lob.10249

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…Clearly defined goals and measurable objectives are necessary for program evaluation to determine a program's success. A program evaluation also provides insight on what metrics could be improved (4). If the program goal is to generate interest in science as a career, then our data suggest that activities should provide students with an inside look into what it means to be a scientist.…”

Section: Scientific Outreach Goalsmentioning

confidence: 89%

An outreach program with hands-on, physiology-based exercises generates questions about STEM career expectations

Clarke

Sharma

Schiller

2019

Advances in Physiology Education

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Scientific advocacy and outreach programs are encouraged to increase public understanding of scientific knowledge and generate interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. However, evaluation of these events’ effectiveness is difficult and somewhat rare. This study’s purpose was to better understand how effective an established physiology-based outreach program was in generating interest in STEM careers, while simultaneously providing information that can be used to increase the effectiveness of future events. We partnered with a private school located in Omaha, Nebraska, where 64–80 students participated in 3 h of physiology-based activities presented by volunteers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The event included a brief presentation of the eye, sensory, heart, and lung systems, followed by hands-on demonstrations and activities. Each session concluded with 15 min of questions and answers (Q&A), where students were encouraged to engage the volunteers in inquiries about what they just learned, career-related questions, or any topic of their choosing. Each Q&A session was audio recorded and evaluated using thematic analysis to identify patterns in the Q&A data. Two major themes of questions were identified: 1) scientific content (animal circulatory systems and how organs are affected by disease or stimulus); and 2) career-related content, including typical day-to-day activities of a scientist and the volunteers’ satisfaction with a scientific career. We conclude that hands-on physiology-based learning opportunities are effective in generating short-term interest in STEM content and careers. The results of this study will also facilitate informed modification of event content to better suit student’s interests.

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Section: Scientific Outreach Goalsmentioning

confidence: 89%

An outreach program with hands-on, physiology-based exercises generates questions about STEM career expectations

Clarke

Sharma

Schiller

2019

Advances in Physiology Education

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“…To maximize the GoMRI investment and ensure GoMRI research and results reached stakeholders, several best practices were developed for outreach programs (Beresford et al, 2018). These programs were successful due to early engagement with outreach professionals initiated during proposal development that resulted in realistic and effective plans, specific budgets, and evaluation metrics.…”

Section: Investigator-led Outreachmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…GoMRI outreach professionals established regular communication with research teams in order to understand ongoing research and entrain members of research teams in outreach activities. Each outreach effort capitalized on unique research topics and expertise, infusing new and exciting GoMRI research findings into existing networks and collaborations and broadening impact for relatively low cost (Beresford et al, 2018).…”

Section: Investigator-led Outreachmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Disaster to Understanding: Formation and Accomplishments of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative

Zimmermann¹,

Feldman²,

Benoit³

et al. 2021

Oceanog

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The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) was created in 2010 following the catastrophic Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. BP engaged Rita Colwell to form and lead an independent board of experts to oversee an unprecedented program of scientific research on the effects of the spill. As a new and uniquely funded organization, GoMRI quickly developed and implemented a set of management processes, policies, and frameworks while simultaneously building an interconnected research community that eventually grew to nearly 4,500 individuals. The GoMRI Research Board and Management Team successfully produced and operated a system for requests for proposals, grants management, scientific and programmatic data management, and outreach and education, and assembled a scientific synthesis of results to create a lasting legacy 10 years after the disaster. Here, we document the challenges and key decisions underlying the design and operation of GoMRI as a model for independent, industry-funded research. In short, GoMRI represents a unique multi-sector partnership and a community of researchers that will advance science in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere for decades to come.

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“…In an effort to further science outreach, Beresford et al (2018) shared recommendations for the development, management, and implementation of outreach plans. In an effort to further science outreach, Beresford et al (2018) shared recommendations for the development, management, and implementation of outreach plans.…”

Section: Disaster Planning and Responsementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In an effort to further science outreach, Beresford et al (2018) shared recommendations for the development, management, and implementation of outreach plans. These recommendations for a science outreach program based upon GoMRI perspectives are (1) to ensure feasibility and efficacy, involve a multidisciplinary team at or prior to the proposal stage; (2) define the strategic plan and include well-defined and measurable goals; (3) clearly define audiences and determine the most effective ways to reach them; (4) be familiar with team member skills and backgrounds and tailor outreach based on strengths of the team; (5) ensure that budgets and outreach plans are collaborative; (6) determine evaluation metrics at the beginning of the program; and (7) foster effective communication within the team and when communicating with constituents and other entities (Beresford et al, 2018). Finucane et al (, p. 2) propose a self-evaluative and adaptive systems approach to community resilience, asserting that "diverse perspectives on resilience can result in conflicting priorities before, during, and after disasters."…”

Section: Geohealthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oil Spills and Human Health: Contributions of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative

et al. 2019

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The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) was established in 2010 with $500 million in funding provided by British Petroleum over a 10-year period to support research on the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and recovery. Contributions of the GoMRI program to date focused on human health are presented in more than 32 peer-reviewed papers published between 2011 and May 2019. Primary findings from review of these papers are (i) the large quantity of dispersants used in the oil cleanup have been associated with human health concerns, including through obesogenicity, toxicity, and illnesses from aerosolization of the agents; (ii) oil contamination has been associated with potential for increases in harmful algal blooms and numbers of pathogenic Vibrio bacteria in oil-impacted waters; and (iii) members of Gulf communities who are heavily reliant upon natural resources for their livelihoods were found to be vulnerable to high levels of life disruptions and institutional distrust. Positive correlations include a finding that a high level of community attachment was beneficial for recovery. Actions taken to improve disaster response and reduce stress-associated health effects could lessen negative impacts of similar disasters in the future. Furthermore, GoMRI has supported annual conferences beginning in 2013 at which informative human health-related presentations have been made. Based on this review, it is recommended that the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 be updated to include enhanced funding for oil spill impacts to human health.

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Recommendations for Science Outreach Program Development: Perspectives from Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Consortia

Cited by 4 publications

References 1 publication

An outreach program with hands-on, physiology-based exercises generates questions about STEM career expectations

An outreach program with hands-on, physiology-based exercises generates questions about STEM career expectations

From Disaster to Understanding: Formation and Accomplishments of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative

Oil Spills and Human Health: Contributions of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative

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