Communicating the science of the Dragonfly Mercury Project

17-20 April 2023, Campus on Lake Austin, Texas

In this workshop, sponsored by the National Park Foundation, National Park Service resource managers, scientists, interpreters, science communicators and education specialists participating in the Dragonfly Mercury Project will collaborate to

  • review existing products and programs, generate ideas for new efforts, and learn from each other.
  • develop shared goals, messaging, and language.
  • identify best practices in communicating the science of mercury in dragonflies to various audiences.
  • develop individual plans to communicate Dragonfly Mercury Project science.

PLEASE NOTE there will be a pre-workshop orientation April 5 at 1 pm Eastern (via Teams).

ALMOST FINAL AGENDA

Agenda PDF (updated 04.10.23)
List of Participants (updated 04.10.23)
Campus on Lake Austin Map
Travel Logistics Tracker

MONDAY 04.17.23

Check in to Campus at Lake Austin (in the Learning Center) begins at 3:00 pm; dinner on your own.
Coffee bar will be open 3:00-8:00 pm with “grab and go” food items available after 5:00 pm.

TUESDAY 04.18.23

Breakfast and lunch are in the Learning Center (main building) and dinner in room 106.
We are meeting in Classroom 206.
Hot and cold beverages and break refreshments can be found in the break station on the second floor.
Coffee bar in the Learning Center is open all day each day and bar/lounge after 5:00 pm.

7:00-8:00. Breakfast
8:30. Warm-up & introductions. (All)
9:00. Why science communication matters. (Catherine)
9:15. Strategic communications overview & activity. (Catherine & all)

10:00. Break

10:30. Finding our purpose. (Catherine)
10:45. Small group discussions of purpose. (All)
11:30. Panel: Who are we engaging, and how can science communication help? (Anne, Lori, Jami, Nicole, Claudia)

12:00. Lunch

1:30. Public understanding of science and challenges. (Catherine)
2:00. Panel: How can science communication help us achieve our goals? (Jennifer, Nifer, Carmen, Paul, Abe)
2:30. Small group discussions of aligning purpose and audience. (All)
2:50. Homework assignment.

3:00. Break.

3:30. Field trip! We’ll visit a location on or near Campus on Lake Austin to sample dragonflies. (Kat)

6:00-9:00. Dinner. Room 106

WEDNESDAY 04.19.23

7:00-8:00. Breakfast

8:30. Report-out on homework. (All)
8:45. Science as a way of knowing. (Catherine)
9:30. Small group discussions of communicating science as a way of knowing. (All)

10:00. Break.

10:30. Messages we can share: Inclusive language and framing. (Catherine)
11:00. Exercise: Knowing jargon when you see/hear/feel it. (All)
11:30. Panel: Perspectives from the field. (Matt, Ashley, Paige)

12:00. Lunch.

1:30. The how: Approaches to communicating science. (Catherine and All)
2:30. Small group review of existing communication products (All)

3:00. Break.

3:30. Small group development of messages and product ideas. (All)
4:00. Making a plan: How will we know we’ve been successful, and what do we need to get there? (All)

5:00. Break.

6:00-9:00. Dinner. Room 106

THURSDAY 04.20.23

7:00-8:00. Breakfast.

8:00. Workshopping messages, products, plans (optional).

10:00. Break.

10:30. Workshopping messages products, plans (optional).

Check out is at 11 a.m.; meeting space available until noon.

 

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