Building Capacity Among Climate-Change Interpreters
Informal education settings such as zoos, aquariums, and parks play an essential part in conveying science to broad public audiences. USGCRP agencies work together to support initiatives that build capacity for communicating the science and impacts of climate change among interpreters in these important educational environments. For example, the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCCI), funded by NSF and led by the New England Aquarium (NEAQ), comprises a partnership of aquariums, zoos, parks, academic institutions, and other non-profit organizations across the country. Members with expertise in ocean and climate science, communications, and cultural sciences build and share knowledge through workshops and six-month study circles that target specific interpretative skills. To learn more, visit: http://goo.gl/1GOrRs
In a related effort, NEAQ is collaborating with other aquariums on Visualizing Change, a project that integrates NOAA datasets and visualizations with strategic communications tools for interpreters based on the best available social and cognitive science. Through this and other interconnected projects supported by NOAA, NSF, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, NEAQ and its partners aim to 1) enhance interpreter training and collaboration nationwide, and 2) connect audiences to climate issues through their personal values and emotional connections with marine life, thereby motivating them to embrace effective solutions. To learn more, visit: http://goo.gl/Ik6Vdi
Earth to Sky (ETS)—a partnership between NASA, NOAA, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the University of California, Berkeley—encourages interpreters and other informal educators to use relevant Federal science, data, and educational products in their work. ETS, which has provided professional development opportunities for climate-change interpreters since 2008, will launch new, regionally focused courses on climate-change communication in 2015: distance-learning sessions will focus on climate science, followed by face-to-face sessions during which participants will examine the impacts of climate change in the geographic area in which they work. To learn more, visit: http://goo.gl/L1yfsJ
An interpreter talks to aquarium visitors. (Credit: NNOCCI)