Photo: Screenshot of "Improving Flavor in Tomatoes," presentation given by Modesta Abugu, University of Florida master's student studying horticultural science, at the Scientist in Every Florida School Nature of Science Teacher Professional Development Program.
With the onset of COVID-19 in the spring, we quickly transitioned all TESI activities to be entirely virtual.
This included a full slate of weekly events serving our target audiences — UF courses, K-12 outreach programs, virtual museum tours, and public science cafes, to name just a few. From this experience, we have learned a lot about virtual programming, so much so that we have become a resource to our peers on the subject. This turn toward online events aligns well with one of our strategic goals — to provide innovative programming through 21st-century digital engagement.
Moving into the fall, we are ready for a full slate of virtual TESI-related activities for as long as we need these to be the mainstay of our offerings.
Our team of trained science communicators and environmental educators works with scientists, peer organizations, nonprofits and decision-makers to curate and share the latest science-based information related to Earth systems science in Florida.
As we begin a new fiscal year, it is important to reflect on our accomplishments. In fiscal year 2019-2020, we had quite a few related to our public programming and digital outreach efforts:
2.2 million potential readers learned about TESI through 16 news articles.
4.2K people followed TESI on social media and 20K unique users visited the TESI website to learn about Institute programs and Florida environmental issues.
1,843 Floridians learned about Earth systems science topics through 15 TESI in-person and virtual public programs and outreach events.
Stay tuned for our 2019-2020 Annual report in the coming months, which will feature more impacts and accomplishments!
Save the Dates: Science OFF Tap
We are gearing up for our fall edition of Science OFF Tap, in partnership with the Florida Museum of Natural History's exhibits and public programs department, and we have a great lineup for you! Join us to learn about urban streams, coastal wetlands and wildlife forensics, all from the comfort of your home! The featured scientists have been working hard shaping their presentation during our Science on Tap Professional Development Program for Early-Career Scientists.
More details and registration information will be coming soon, so be sure to keep tabs on our website and social media pages. But, in the meantime, be sure to mark the following dates and times on your calendar.
Thursday, September 10, 2020, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. EDT
Thursday, October 8, 2020, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. EDT
Thursday, November 12, 2020, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. EST
Climate Hope: Turning Angst Into Action
To wrap up our last installment of our Climate Science on Tap series, a collaboration with the West Palm Beach Office of Sustainability, we focused on hope.
Through our internships, outreach grants program, training seminars, and K-12 teacher professional development workshops, we help scientists, educators, and journalists hone their science communication skills and disseminate research to broader audiences.
Science on Tap Professional Development Program Preps Upcoming Fall Speakers
Our upcoming Science on Tap series has a new secret ingredient: training in science communication. As a way to make the program more engaging while giving early-career scientists a chance to shine, TESI and the Florida Museum of Natural History teamed up to launch the first Science on Tap Professional Development Program for Early-Career Scientists.
During the six-week training program, participants learn proven strategies for how to effectively communicate to non-scientist audiences while building better trust and support for science. Each of the participants will be giving a talk at one of our upcoming Science OFF Tap dates this fall. See below to learn more about the participants and their research area.
AJ Reisinger: Assistant professor, urban soil and water quality, UF/IFAS Soil and Water Sciences Department
Research focus: "I am interested in how human activities on the landscape affect the export of nutrients and other pollutants, impairing the quality of soil and water."
Madelaine Verbeek: University of Florida master's student, wildlife forensic sciences and conservation
Research focus: "I am an enthusiastic early-career wildlife forensic scientist and conservation geneticist ready to use museum collections to reform policy and change in wildlife crime."
Julie Walker: University of Florida Ph.D. student, interdisciplinary ecology, and marine conservation fellow at the UF Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
Research focus: "I am evaluating how the northern migration of mangroves is altering predator-prey dynamics in salt marshes."
Scientist in Every Florida School
Through this free program, our mission is to build long-term collaborative relationships between teachers and scientists, better integrate current scientific research and big data into classroom lessons that adhere to Florida Sunshine State Standards and connect a scientist with every school in the state.
Summer Professional Development Workshop Brings Together Teachers, Scientists
From July 6-10, 2020, 40 K-12 science teachers representing 10 Florida counties participated in the Scientist in Every Florida School Nature of Science virtual professional development workshop.
Throughout the week, teachers worked with scientists to develop lesson plans that help students better understand what’s known in education as the “nature of science,” or the tools, theories, and skills used to carry out research.
This was the second annual summer professional development workshop hosted by SEFS, but due to COVID-19, this year’s workshop looked a little bit different. Sessions were held entirely on Zoom, but teachers and scientists were up for the challenge.
SEFS Welcomes Alan Ivory, K-12 Smallwood Foundation Fellow
Alan Ivory, a recent graduate of the University of Florida’s department of wildlife ecology and conservation, has been named the K-12 Smallwood Foundation Fellow for the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute’s Scientist in Every Florida School Program. In his new role, Ivory will be working to expand SEFS programming into Marion and Levy counties, with a focus on Title 1 schools.
Ivory’s position is funded in part by a grant from the Smallwood Foundation.
One of Ivory’s first projects will take place at the Silver River Museum in Ocala where he will lead regular science activities via Zoom to local classrooms. He will also be collecting data on manatee sightings and water quality at Silver Springs State Park to show students the tools and methods used to conduct scientific research, a topic known in education as the nature of science.
Watch Florida Museum 360°: The Making of an Exhibit
Darcie MacMahon, director of exhibits and public programs at the Florida Museum, recently led nearly 100 people on a virtual tour of the Museum's "South Florida People & Environments" exhibit in the latest installment of Florida Museum 360°, a virtual program hosted in collaboration with Scientist in Every Florida School.
Did you miss it? Not to worry, simply click on the video above to take a journey through a South Florida estuary and learn how this rich ecosystem has supported people for thousands of years, including the powerful Calusa who once controlled all of South Florida. Viewers will also discover some of the behind-the-scenes stories and techniques used in making an immersive exhibit filled with rare and interesting objects from the Museum’s South Florida archaeology collections.
Keep up with SEFS News
Are you interested in learning more about our Scientist in Every Florida School Program? Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter where we give updates on the program, showcase scientist visits and advertise upcoming professional development opportunities for both scientists and teachers! If you are a teacher (or curious individual), subscribe at the following link: Teacher SEFS subscription. If you are a scientist, subscribe at the following link: Scientist SEFS subscription.
Grants & Awards
TESI recently received a small grant from the League of Environmental Educators in Florida to help fund an educational awareness campaign focused on global insect decline and action items Floridians can take to curb this worrisome phenomenon. The campaign launches in September. Stay tuned!
Upcoming Events and Learning Opportunities
Science OFF Tap Fall Series| Zoom webinar & Facebook Live | Thursday, September 10; Thursday, October 8; Thursday, November 7 | 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Eastern time | More info to come.
Postponed: Florida Springs Film Series — Lost Springs| A film screening of Lost Springs followed by a panel discussion |This event has been postponed to an undetermined date. We will keep you updated as new details develop.
Postponed: Outdoors for All with Audrey Peterman |This talk has been postponed to an undetermined date. We will keep you updated as new details develop.
Every Friday, we also publish a weekly sampling of environmental learning opportunities on our Facebook page.
For the time being, we are specifically featuring virtual opportunities. Visit our Online Learning Opportunites page to see what we've collected so far.
Support Our Mission
To support the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute Endowment,
Capital Project Expansion of the Florida Museum, and the
Scientist in Every Florida School Moonshot Project, contact:
Marie Emmerson
Senior Director of Development
Florida Museum of Natural History emmerson@ufl.edu
cell: 352-256-9614
