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Myer PR, Blair S, Mason KM, Shepherd EA, Downey BC, McLean KJ, Rowan TN, Eckelkamp EA, Schrick FN, Zambito Ivey JL. Promoting public engagement in interdisciplinary biological systems education by leveraging American sports-inspired bracket contests on social media and web. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOLOGY EDUCATION 2024:e0007824. [PMID: 39012128 DOI: 10.1128/jmbe.00078-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The complexity of modern biology poses challenges in fostering interdisciplinary understanding, particularly between practicing scientists and the public. Furthermore, scientists often lack formal training in science communication, despite various motivations to engage the public. The science literacy of the public in the biological sciences can also vary across socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Leveraging popular culture and informal learning practices to promote active learning offers promising avenues to enhance public understanding of biological systems. Organized sports hold collective recognition across various communities and cultures, serving as a means to bring people together. Notably, the NCAA March Madness event holds widespread national and international popularity, presenting an opportunity to laterally apply this concept to promote science communication within STEM and biology education. An educational social media and web-based contest tool was developed integrating NCAA-inspired brackets with animal biological systems concepts. The tool featured tournament-style matchups based on animal biological systems, interesting animal facts, and a voting system, all housed within a user-friendly interface. To encourage regular user access to the tool, graphic designs were developed for all social media posts to aid in visual recruitment to the voting website. Based on online metrics, the use of social media garnered repeat users across both the public and educators. The latter noted the tool's simplicity and informative content. Application of this social media and web-based bracket contest tool, which leverages informal settings for active learning for use in biology education, can foster science communication to engage audiences, improve comprehension, and promote interdisciplinary biology education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip R Myer
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Susan Blair
- Information Technology Services, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Katie M Mason
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Shepherd
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Blair C Downey
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kyle J McLean
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Troy N Rowan
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - F Neal Schrick
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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Lynn CD, Manthey C, Ocobock C. The value of publicly engaged podcasting in human biology. Am J Hum Biol 2024:e24105. [PMID: 38757762 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.24105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Podcasting about science may be popular, but does it motivate engagement? The Human Biology Association and American Journal of Human Biology (AJHB) cosponsor a podcast that highlights recent articles. We hypothesized that AJHB articles discussed on the podcast (n = 42) receive more online views than other articles from the same issues. We used Student's t-tests to compare mean article views and found podcasted articles received more views, but the difference was not significant. When extreme outliers were removed, podcasted articles had over twice the views of control articles (p = .04), indicating that journal-affiliated podcasting can increase science engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Lynn
- Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Courtney Manthey
- Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
| | - Cara Ocobock
- Department of Anthropology, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, USA
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Bezanson M, Franquesa-Soler M, Kowalewski M, McNamara A, Oktaviani R, Rodrigues MA. Best practices are never best: Evaluating primate conservation education programs (PCEPs) with a decolonial perspective. Am J Primatol 2022; 85:e23424. [PMID: 35924284 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Who do we aim to educate with primate conservation education programs (PCEPs)? In a commentary published in a recent AJP, Annette Lanjouw suggested that many efforts to "educate" habitat-country communities can be neocolonial in their approaches. Forest destruction and habitat loss are a result of global consumption and expansion. We therefore need to approach conservation education from many angles including local stakeholders, policy makers, government officials, and the humans living in industrialized nations who are major consumers of the items that shrink primate habitats. In this review, we investigate PCEPs to determine if the conservation education goals, education methods, and assessment processes are proceeding within a neocolonial context. We reviewed the last 20 years of primate conservation literature and looked for publications that were focused on education programs. We found that in 50 of 52 publications published between 2001 and 2021, the education programs take place in habitat-country local communities. We also reviewed primate field researcher and field site websites, and in most cases, education programs were also focused on educating local communities living near or in nonhuman primate habitats. Exceptions were student clubs, zoo programs, and a high school outreach program. Many PCEP providers presented a list of "lessons learned" and we compiled their wisdom in combination with our experience to provide a framework for moving forward. We conclude that as conservation primatologists, we must think beyond our field sites to create opportunities for educational outreach. We can reach global consumers by linking to zoos, television/motion picture, print media, social media, and working with schools on curricula. Primatologists can engage our undergraduates to establish clubs and create meaningful assignments that reach beyond the classroom. We encourage primatologists from the Global North to consider their positionality and the history of conservation exclusion in their attempts to conserve primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Bezanson
- Department of Anthropology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California, USA
| | - Montserrat Franquesa-Soler
- Facultad de Ingeniería Ambiental, Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), Puebla, México
| | - Martin Kowalewski
- Estación Biológica Corrientes-Centro de Ecología del Litoral (CECOAL-CONICET-UNNE), Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Allison McNamara
- Department of Anthropology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | | | - Michelle A Rodrigues
- Department of Social and Cultural Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Stephan T, Burgess SM, Cheng H, Danko CG, Gill CA, Jarvis ED, Koepfli KP, Koltes JE, Lyons E, Ronald P, Ryder OA, Schriml LM, Soltis P, VandeWoude S, Zhou H, Ostrander EA, Karlsson EK. Darwinian genomics and diversity in the tree of life. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2115644119. [PMID: 35042807 PMCID: PMC8795533 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2115644119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomics encompasses the entire tree of life, both extinct and extant, and the evolutionary processes that shape this diversity. To date, genomic research has focused on humans, a small number of agricultural species, and established laboratory models. Fewer than 18,000 of ∼2,000,000 eukaryotic species (<1%) have a representative genome sequence in GenBank, and only a fraction of these have ancillary information on genome structure, genetic variation, gene expression, epigenetic modifications, and population diversity. This imbalance reflects a perception that human studies are paramount in disease research. Yet understanding how genomes work, and how genetic variation shapes phenotypes, requires a broad view that embraces the vast diversity of life. We have the technology to collect massive and exquisitely detailed datasets about the world, but expertise is siloed into distinct fields. A new approach, integrating comparative genomics with cell and evolutionary biology, ecology, archaeology, anthropology, and conservation biology, is essential for understanding and protecting ourselves and our world. Here, we describe potential for scientific discovery when comparative genomics works in close collaboration with a broad range of fields as well as the technical, scientific, and social constraints that must be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylorlyn Stephan
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20817
| | - Shawn M Burgess
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20817
| | - Hans Cheng
- Avian Disease and Oncology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, East Lansing, MI 48823
| | - Charles G Danko
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850
| | - Clare A Gill
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Erich D Jarvis
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
- HHMI, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
| | - Klaus-Peter Koepfli
- Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, George Mason University, Front Royal, VA 22630
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC 20008
| | - James E Koltes
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - Eric Lyons
- School of Plant Sciences, BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Pamela Ronald
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
- The Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
- The Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Grass Genetics, Joint Bioenergy Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608
| | - Oliver A Ryder
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Escondido, CA 92027
- Department of Evolution, Behavior, and Ecology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Lynn M Schriml
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Pamela Soltis
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
| | - Sue VandeWoude
- Department of Micro-, Immuno-, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80532
| | - Huaijun Zhou
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Elaine A Ostrander
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20817
| | - Elinor K Karlsson
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655;
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
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Amorim CEG, Dasari M, Durgavich L, Hinde K, Kissel M, Lewton KL, Loewen T. Integrative approaches to dispersing science: A case study of March Mammal Madness. Am J Hum Biol 2021; 34 Suppl 1:e23659. [PMID: 34358377 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Public engagement is increasingly viewed as an important pillar of scientific scholarship. For early career and established scholars, navigating the mosaic landscape of public education and science communication, noted for rapid "ecological" succession, can be daunting. Moreover, academics are characterized by diverse skills, motivations, values, positionalities, and temperaments that may differentially incline individuals to particular public translation activities. METHODS Here we briefly contextualize engagement activities within a scholarly portfolio, describe the use of one public education program-March Mammal Madness (MMM)- to highlight approaches to science communication, and explore essential elements and practical considerations for creating and sustaining outreach pursuits in tandem with other scholarly activities. RESULTS MMM, an annual simulated tournament of living and fossil animal taxa, has reached hundreds of thousands of learners since 2013. This program has provided a platform to communicate research findings from biology and anthropology and showcase numerous scholars in these fields. MMM has leveraged tournament devices to intentionally address topics of climate change, capitalist environmental degradation, academic sexism, and racist settler-colonialism. The tournament, however, has also perpetuated implicit biases that need disrupting. CONCLUSIONS By embracing reflexive, self-interrogative, and growth attitudes, the tournament organizers iteratively refine and improve this public science education program to better align our activities with our values and goals. Our experiences with MMM suggest that dispersing science is most sustainable when we combine ancestral adaptations for cooperation, community, and storytelling with good-natured competition in the context of shared experiences and shared values.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mauna Dasari
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Lara Durgavich
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katie Hinde
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Marc Kissel
- Department of Anthropology, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kristi L Lewton
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Tisa Loewen
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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