Telling stories to communicate science

Two filmmakers talking in front of audienceCOSEE Coastal trends frequently uses videos to illustrate how people are connected to the natural world and scientific discovery. Last week, at the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) meeting in Portland Oregon, COSEE Coastal Trends staff had the opportunity to share their work and learn new story telling techniques with scientist-turned-filmmaker, Randy Olson. Cassie Gurbisz submitted the Observing the Ocean video she wrote, edited, and filmed to Olson's workshop session. The video received good reviews and workshop participants offered suggestions for enhancing the story telling components. COSEE Coastal Trends and IAN will continue to explore how to use stories to make personal connections and communicate science.

NPS workshops on natural resource assessments and lessons learned

Meeting at Monocacy National BattlefieldOn January 27, IAN staff Bill Dennison, Tim Carruthers, and Jane Thomas met with natural resource staff from Antietam National Battlefield, Monocacy National Battlefield, and Manassas National Battlefield Park, along with staff from the Inventory & Monitoring Program of the National Park Service (NPS) National Capital Region Network. The workshop focused on the outcomes from the ongoing natural resources condition assessments for these three cultural resource parks. An outcome from the workshop was the production of two 'lessons learned' brochures, based on some overarching themes and results from the assessments. These brochures were presented at the NPS Water Resources Division meeting at Fort Collins, Colorado.

IAN and EcoCheck bid farewell to Emily Nauman

Emily NaumanEmily joined IAN in 2007, and excelled in her internship. She moved on to the position of science communicator for EcoCheck where she contributed to a large number of science communication products and participated in a variety of training programs. Emily worked closely with Professor Nelson Marshall, to complete "Oceanography: An Observer's Guide", published by IAN Press. Emily also provided invaluable assistance in completing the IAN book, "Integrating and Applying Science". Emily is taking a job in Cincinnati, Ohio as a Science Communicator / Technical Writer, working in close association with the Environmental Protection Agency. This is a dream job and location for Emily, utilizing her considerable talents and being close to family and friends. Of course, she will be leaving behind good friends and close colleagues here in Maryland. We will miss Emily's wonderful smile and great attitude and look forward to finding ways to work with her in her new job. Emily is going to continue to work for IAN a day per week for the next 6 weeks to help us get through report card season.

New EcoCheck Science Communicator - Sara Powell

Sara PowellSara joined EcoCheck as a Science Communicator in February 2010. She is a South Carolina native, and received both her undergraduate (Marine Science) and graduate (Environmental Health Sciences) degrees from the University of South Carolina. Sara has worked on several research projects that link GIS, environmental management, and community outreach. She recently finished up work on a project with homeowners groups from Lake Wateree, SC, where she advocated for citizen stewardship of water resources by promoting education and enlisting local volunteers to undertake water quality monitoring. In her free time Sara enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.