Communicating Research to Public Audiences: Environmental Drivers of the Ecological Role and Movements of Top Predators in the Coastal Everglades

这个为期两年的项目正在交流一个正在进行的LTER（长期生态研究）项目所产生的科学发现的结果，该项目致力于了解大沼泽地生态系统。具体来说，Heithaus博士正在利用通过0620409（沿海寡营养生态系统研究）资助的发现，这些发现是关于大沼泽地中大型顶级捕食者的作用，包括牛鲨（Carcharhinus leucas）和美国短吻鳄（Alligator mississippiensis）。该项目的STEM内容是生物学，特别是生态学，环境和保护。这些结果正在通过以下方式传达：（1）在佛罗里达南部的多个博物馆和自然中心进行多媒体展览，主要是位于佛罗里达州的发现与科学博物馆（MODS）。（2）在社交媒体网站和LTER网站上在线传播迷你纪录片和其他教育内容。博物馆展品的目标观众包括来自不同文化背景的学习者，如反映佛罗里达南部人口统计的城市家庭群体。该项目还将制作一部关于大沼泽地生态的纪录片，计划在一个专门介绍自然历史的有线电视频道上播放。为了与正规教育相联系，正在制作相关的教育成果，供科学课堂环境（4至12年级）使用，这些教育成果与国家科学标准和基准保持一致。由博物馆工作人员和大学生进行的形成性评估将评估学习成果，因为它们与STEM内容学习目标有关。 在两年的资助期结束后，随着展览在其他地点展出，并通过网络在线访问可交付成果，目前的向公众传播研究（CRPA）项目所产生的科学学习机会将得到维持。

This two-year project is communicating the results of scientific discoveries produced by an on-going LTER (Long-term Ecological Research) project devoted to understanding the Everglades ecosystem. Specifically, Dr. Heithaus is capitalizing on the discoveries funded through 0620409 (Coastal Oligotrophic Ecosystems Research) about the role of large-bodied, top predators in the Everglades, including bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) and American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). The STEM content of this project is biology, in particular ecology, the environment, and conservation. These results are being communicated via: (1) multimedia exhibit presentations at multiple museums and nature centers in southern Florida, primarily the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), located in Ft. Lauderdale near the Everglades and (2) online dissemination of mini-documentaries and other educational components at social media websites and the LTER web site. The target audience for the museum exhibit components includes learners from diverse cultural backgrounds, such as urban family groups reflecting the demographics of southern Florida. This project will also develop a documentary about Everglades ecology that is planned for dissemination on a cable TV channel devoted to natural history. In order to link with formal education, related educational deliverables are being produced for use in science classroom settings (grades 4 through 12) that are aligned with the state science standards and benchmarks. Formative assessment conducted by museum staff and university students will evaluate learning outcomes as they relate to STEM content learning goals. After the two-year funding period, the science learning opportunities produced from the current Communicating Research to Public Audiences (CRPA) project will be sustained as the exhibit travels to other venues and as web deliverables are accessed on-line.