Proposal

Narrative

Sharing the research conducted at FAU Harbor Branch with wider audiences to promote its national recognition is of paramount importance (FAU Strategic Plan 2015-2025, p. 10). The Outreach Department supports this effort through its Mission: Ocean Discovery initiative which engages nearly 10,000 people each year through the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center, tours, lecture series and other valuable programs. In order to execute these programs, we employ Graduate Student Assistants and engage other students across campus, who receive the unique opportunity to interact with the general public. This experience is valuable because it allows students to build and refine their communication skills, create meaningful connections with the community and broaden future career options, which ultimately contribute to their success (p. 4). These specialized skills are not often acquired through conventional classroom learning or interactions with scientific communities. We propose a three-part plan that will be used to improve and expand the reach of these graduate student-driven programs: Part 1: Establish a Virtual Field Trip program that will allow graduate students to communicate Ocean Science and Engineering (p. 5) to K-12 students across the nation and expand the lifelong learning offerings at FAU Harbor Branch (p. 8). Part 2: Purchase the equipment necessary for students to participate in the institute’s Speakers Bureau, an off-site program that shares FAU Harbor Branch research with community groups. Part 3: Upgrade the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center theater to create a space that is better suited for on-site student presentations and engagements with a variety of audiences (p. 9). This will benefit the daily interpretive tours given by Graduate Student Assistants as well as the presenters for the Marine Science Friday lecture series which includes a large portion of current students.

Facilities

Part 3 requires updates to the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center theater, which currently has inadequate lighting, and presents a challenge for both the execution and expansion of the programs that use it. Upgrading the lighting will convert this room into a multi-use space, rather than one that is designed to show videos. The Graduate Student Assistants use the theater daily and others that present during the Marine Science Friday Lecture Series would certainly benefit from the improvements. Aside from our Mission: Ocean Discovery programs, the updated space could also be used by students to practice giving presentations for both conferences (scientific community) and Speakers Bureau (general public).

Hardware Requirements

Part 1: Requested hardware will be used to establish the new and interactive Virtual Field Trip program. To communicate with participants, Graduate Student Assistants require an iPad Pro, tripod and a headset with a microphone. More immersive experiences, such as lab tours and ecosystem explorations, will require a GoPro camera and Gladius mini Underwater Drone. Presenters will gain valuable experience inspiring and sharing science with K-12 students across the nation. Part 2: The Speakers Bureau program currently relies on presenters to provide their own laptop and accessories in order to participate. Requested materials include a laptop, projector and presentation clicker that would be dedicated to the program so that students who lack these supplies will be able to participate and share their research with the community. Part 3: Upgrades to the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center theater will require new lighting sconces (for the reasons described above) as well as a new computer, projector and sound system. The current computer system is outdated, the sound system is not reliable, and the projector provides a low-quality image which cause issues when students present to the public. These upgrades will provide better experiences for presenters that frequently use this space and allow us to expand its future use.

Software Requirements

All software necessary for the proposed plan is either free, existing or included with the cost of the hardware. Both the desktop and laptop computers will require Microsoft Office (available through FAU). Streaming and recording of Virtual Field Trips will use Skype, the GoPro App, Gladius App and YouTube. Using Windows or Apple media software we will also create a library of recorded presentations (Marine Science Friday Lectures, Ocean Discovery Visitors Center interpretive tours and Virtual Field Trips) that can be accessed by students for training purposes, to broaden their skillsets and introduce them to new opportunities that will benefit their futures (FAU Strategic Plan 2015-2025, p. 4).

Personnel Costs

None

Other Costs

None

Timeline

Early March 2020- Awards Announced April 2020 - Order all hardware supplies May 2020 - Complete lighting upgrades and install hardware in theater; Begin using hardware for Speakers Bureau Program; Set up and test Virtual Field Trip technologies July/August 2020- Test run Virtual Field Trip technologies in preparation for a full launch of the program in the Fall September 2020- Launch the Virtual Field Trip program February 2021- Hold the Marine Science Friday Lecture Series in the newly upgraded Theater

Sustainability

Maintenance of the hardware and lighting for this project will be covered under the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Operating budget.

Resource Matching

N/A

Implementing Organization

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute