Stand Up and Holler Gator Nation Giving Day A Boost for TESI
Last month, we were excited to announce that two TESI funds within the Florida Museum of Natural History would be featured during the University of Florida’s Gator Nation Giving Day on Feb. 18.
Thanks to more than 50 generous supporters, we are pleased to report that we raised more than $18,000 in support of TESI programs, infrastructure and facilities, including:
Florida Museum Building and Renovation Fund (includes new TESI infrastructure and facilities): $12,100 from 31 donors
Jon and Beverly Thompson Earth Systems Endowment (supports TESI programs): $6,750 from 20 donors.
We would like to extend a warm thank you to these donors and for those who helped spread the word about TESI’s work. These gifts have an immediate impact and help us further our mission to advance communication and education about Florida's air, water, land and life in a way that inspires Floridians to be effective stewards of our planet.
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.
During the event, Song Liang, term professor and associate professor in the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute, and Sadie Ryan, associate professor and co-director of the Florida Climate Institute, will discuss the ways that climate change and health issues, as well as potential solutions, are interconnected.
Join Us on Earth Day for Keynote Address from Conservationist & Author Audrey Peterman
Join the Florida Museum and the University of Florida Thompson Earth Systems Institute, in partnership with Conservation Florida, on Earth Day to learn more about the often mischaracterized history of preserving outdoor spaces in the U.S., how physical distancing has brought us closer to our Earth and what that means for the future of our planet.
Hear from award-winning author and conservationist Audrey Peterman followed by a Q&A in this FREE, virtual event.
Peterman is a leader in the movement to engage more Americans of color in the enjoyment, care and protection of our green spaces. Her achievements have been recognized with awards including the Environmental Hero Award, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Outstanding Citizen Advocate Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Outdoor Afro. Thanks to her efforts as part of the Next100 Coalition, President Obama issued a Presidential memorandum in 2017 promoting diversity and inclusion in our national parks, forests and other public lands and waters.
The audience Q&A will be moderated by Lillian Dinkins, Conservation Leadership Program Fellow with Conservation Florida.
Student-Led Team Launches Special Earth to Florida Legislative Issue
The Florida State Legislative Session is an action-packed 60 days. This year’s session began on March 2 and ends on April 30. And, to orient readers to the hot environmental topics on lawmakers' minds this session, our student-led team has produced a Special Legislative Edition of our monthly Earth to Florida newsletter.
They have sifted through thousands of bills to find those that pertain to our state’s environment, talking to policy experts and scientists to provide context about how the proposed legislation might impact our state.
Read on to learn more about proposed legislation related to climate change and energy, water quality/quantity, agriculture, recycling, planning/development and habitats/biodiversity!
Take a Deep Dive Into Florida's Freshwater at the Next Florida Springs Film Series: Biodiversity
Our springs are not only a valuable water resource and outdoor leisure destination, they are also unique, fragile ecosystems that are profoundly affected by human activity. Take a virtual deep dive into Florida’s springs with us and the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Two special films — “The Santa Fe River Turtle Project” and “Welcome to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex” — will be posted on the event page and the Museum’s YouTube channel from April 23 to April 27! Watch the films, then join us for a panel discussion with experts in the field on April 27, 7-8:30 p.m., and learn more about the importance, health and conservation of our state’s water.
This is a FREE event, but pre-registration is required.
The information was cultivated during the 2019 HAB State of the Science Symposium hosted by the UF/IFAS and Florida Sea Grant. The Symposium’s 75 participants represented 27 unique institutions encompassing academia, nonprofit organizations, local, state and federal agencies, allowing for a diverse and comprehensive assessment of the scientific research arena.
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.
Announcing the 2020-2021 TESI Education & Outreach Grant Recipients
TESI has awarded two education and outreach grants to support projects led by UF students that communicate Earth systems science research to lifelong learners in Florida.
This annual grant competition helps foster collaboration and leverage the Institute’s capacity to reach a broader audience, said TESI director Bruce MacFadden.
“Core to the mission of TESI is advancing communication and education about the world-class research here at the University of Florida,” MacFadden said. “These grants incentivize students to think about how they can effectively communicate their own science.”
Read below for more information about the 2020-21 recipients and their projects.
Feathered, Fearless, and Fabulous Friends: Get to Know Your Backyard Birds!
Recipient: Stephanie Wheeler, Ph.D. student, UF Department of Biology
As development continues to exacerbate urban sprawl, there is a growing need for the public to understand the issues facing surrounding ecosystems. Because of their successes, casualties and interesting adaptations, birds provide an easy outlet to help the public better understand these issues.
With funding from TESI, Stephanie Wheeler is designing a pop-up exhibit to help the public better understand the birds with which they share their cities as well as how people affect birds and vice versa. The exhibit will feature touchable specimens, useful facts, interactive activities, and collectables that engage visitors and encourage new habits that are good for birds and people.
Creating Earth's Dipolar Magnetic Field in a Jar: A Combination of Science and Art
Recipient: Scott Miller, Ph.D. student, UF Department of Geological Sciences
Earth's dipole magnetic field protects life from harmful ultraviolet radiation and retains necessary elements for life such as oxygen in Earth's atmosphere.
With funding from TESI, Scott Miller is developing Do It Yourself (DIY) Earth magnetic field jar kits to help non-scientists better understand the science behind and importance of Earth's magnetic field. Consisting of a few simple items — mason jar, bar magnet, fluid and magnetic fillings — the kits will be given at either in-person events or mailed to participants for virtual events so they can create, observe and keep their own visual models of Earth's magnetic dipole. The jars will also have spinnable tops to simulate Earth's rotation.
"I think it's important to teach people about Earth's magnetic field in a tactile, visual way because the magnetic field is most often invisible, imperceptible and evolving on longer-than-human timescales," Miller said. "We expect the DIY magnetic field jars will spark the curiosity of people of all ages and backgrounds to learn more about Earth's magnificent magnetic field."
TESI Interns Hone Their Science Communications Skills
At TESI, students are valued team members making important contributions to our mission.
Our student interns develop social media content, write newsletter articles, create videos and more, all focused on communicating Earth systems issues to Floridians and beyond. During their time with us, students hone their science communication skills and broaden their knowledge about key environmental issues in Florida and across the globe.
Click on the student profiles below to learn more about them and view some of their work.
Education & Communications Intern
Spring 2020 – present
Ellen Bausback is a journalism major and environmental science minor at UF who strives to put her love for science as well as her writing and creative skills to the test to help get Floridians excited and invested in Earth science systems. After graduation, Ellen hopes to pursue a career in environmental journalism or any field that lets her combine her two passions to serve her community.
Mindjina Courage is an undergraduate student at UF pursuing a dual degree in political science and English, with a minor in communications. She hopes to promote sustainability and make lasting impacts on Florida’s environment through her writing. After graduating in 2022, Mindjina plans to attend law school with the knowledge that she gained from TESI and her other involvements at UF.
Education & Communications Intern
Spring 2020 – present
Lianne D’Arcy is a senior at UF studying journalism with a concentration in environmental science and a minor in nonprofit management. Lianne also interns with the Alachua Conservation Trust and was a Spring 2020 Bob Graham Center for Public Service Civic Scholar. In the future, she hopes to combine her passion for writing and love for the environment through her skills in science communication.
Brittney Miller is a senior at UF pursuing a dual degree in biology and journalism. She has worked in both research labs and newsrooms throughout her collegiate journey – a background that has cultivated her rich passion for communicating science. With environmental clips published in more than 65 publications nationwide, including AP News, the San Francisco Chronicle, U.S. News & World Report, Houston Chronicle and more, she aspires to continue her path as a science writer and communicator in graduate school after graduation.
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.
Applications Now Open for SEFS Summer Professional Development Workshop
The SEFS team is pleased to announce its third annual July professional development workshop for K-12 public school teachers in Florida. This year's workshop will be hosted virtually via Zoom and will focus on the hydrosphere. During this hands-on and collaborative workshop, teachers will be paired with a scientific lab and be introduced to current research. Together, scientists and teachers will develop novel and engaging lesson plans to use in the classroom come fall semester.
K-12 Students and Teachers: Join SEFS for Educational Livestreams
Mark your calendars! SEFS is hosting a number of free, virtual events this semester. Each event is geared toward K-12 audiences and rooted in state science standards. Visit the links below to learn more and register. To keep up with all of TESI's upcoming events, visit our Upcoming Events Calendar.
The mission of the SEFS program is to engage Florida K-12 students and teachers in cutting-edge research by providing science role models and experiences that inspire the future stewards of our planet.
And, how are we doing so far? Just this school year alone, the SEFS team has coordinated 722 scientist visits to schools, reaching more than 27,000 K-12 public school students in Florida. Across the state, teachers in 32 counties have made 869 requests for scientists to bring current research into their classrooms.
SEFS Featured on Mainstreet Daily News
Reporter Suzette Cook attended a SEFS visit last month and observed third-grade students at Williston Elementary School "jumping up and down as they raised their hands with questions."
Cook writes about the SEFS program through the lens of a recent visit with Alan Ivory (pictured), an ecologist and the SEFS K-12 Smallwood Foundation Fellow, in Mainstreet Daily News. Read the full article at the following link: Moonshot initiative aims to put scientists in every Florida classroom
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.
Like the work we do? Consider supporting our communication, public outreach, and science curriculum development initiatives by making a gift using our secure giving site.
For more information on how 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
