Presented at the Western Society of Naturalists 2010 Meeting, Student Workshop. Scientists can use the internet to reach a potentially huge audience, but online science outreach has unique challenges. I will discuss the current online science ecosystem, the advantages and disadvantages of different tools (e.g., blogs, Twitter, podcasts), and common pitfalls. I will end with some suggestions for how to get started using free applications.
Because Your Grandpa's on Facebook: Online Outreach for Scientists
1. Because Your Grandpaâs On Facebook:
Online Outreach for Scientists
Oh, my, who knew
barnacles could do
that?
allwelike.com
Miriam C. Goldstein
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Western Society of Naturalists Meeting
November 11, 2010
2. Because Your Grandpaâs On Facebook:
Online Outreach for Scientists
RESTRICTED
R
Oh, my, who knew
barnacles could do UNDER 17 REQUIRES ACCOMPANYING
PARENT OR ADULT GUARDIAN
that?
For strong language and sweet sweet
barnacle lovinâ.
allwelike.com
Miriam C. Goldstein
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
4. Mandate to communicate science to public
âą âBroader Impactsâ
requirement
âą Achieve policy or
conservation goals
(e.g., climate change
legislation, MPAs)
âą Because we think
science is the coolest
thing ever!
5. Why use the internet?
1,000,000,000
log [Number of People]
100,000,000
10,000,000
1,000,000
100,000
10,000
1,000
100
10
1
Sci Co Loc Na D Blo Tw F
ent lleg al P tion isco gs itte aceb
ific eC ape al P ver r ook
Co las r ape Ma
nfe s r gaz
ren ine
ce
Traditional Media
New Media
6. Why use the internet?
A look on a linear scale = INTERNET FTW!
600,000,000
Number of People
500,000,000
400,000,000
300,000,000
200,000,000
100,000,000
0
Sci Co Loc Na D Blo Tw F
ent lleg al P tion isco gs itte aceb
ific eC ape al P ver r ook
Co las r ape Ma
nfe s r gaz
ren ine
ce
Traditional Media
New Media
7. One model of the online science ecosystem
Rob Helpy-Chalk
8. Blogs just a small part of online world
âBlogosphereâ
xkcd.com/802
9. Blogs just a small part of online world
âBlogosphereâ
Science blogs
not even on
map
?
xkcd.com/802
10. One approach: SEAPLEX
âą Scripps Environmental
Accumulation of Plastic
Expedition (SEAPLEX)
âą 20 days on R/V New
Horizon in August 2009
âą Designed & led by graduate
students
âą Collaboration with
nonproïŹt Project Kaisei
22. Cost of Online Tools
Item Application Cost
Blog: FREE
Blog Wordpress.com
Domain name: $10
Twitter Twitter.com FREE
Photos Flickr 100 MB/month: FREE
Videos YouTube FREE
Mapping Google Maps/Earth FREE
OfïŹcial Website In-house IT Not free
23. Total Cost of Online Outreach
Peopleâs time:
Item Application Cost
Blog: FREE
Blog Wordpress.com
Domain name: $10
NOT FREE
Twitter Twitter.com FREE
Up to TK photos: FREE
Photos Flickr
Unlimited: TK
Videos YouTube FREE
Mapping Google Maps/Earth FREE
OfïŹcial Website In-house IT Not free
29. Most common pitfall: Lost in the Sea of Zero
Comments
Networking is the solution
âąClassrooms
âąExisting blogs
âąExisting networks
âąConsider alternate outreach methods
xkcd.com
31. Many Thanks
UC
 Ship
 Funds
Association
 for
 Women
 in
 Science
 -Ââ
 San
 Diego
Project
 Kaisei
 Centers
 for
 Ocean
 Sciences
 Education
 Excellence
JeïŹrey
 &
 Marcy
 Krinsk Michael
 M.
 Mullin
 Graduate
 Student
 Fellowship
 in
 Biological
 Oceanography
Jim
 &
 Kris
 McMillan Scripps
 Center
 for
 Marine
 Biodiversity
 and
 Conservation
Scripps
 Directorâs
 OïŹce
Lyn
 &
 Norman
 Lear National
 Science
 Foundation
Anonymous
 Donor
SEAPLEX Science Annie Crawley Karen Baker Skye Moret
Mario Aguilera Karin Malmstrom Alison Cawood Peter Niller
Rebecca Asch George Orbelian Dave Checkley NOAA Southwest
Pete Davison Steve Constable & team Fisheries
Lara Dickens Sorting Volunteers Paul Dayton Dick Norris
Jesse Dubler Olivia Benge Steve Diggs Cheryl Peach
Matt Durham Carri-Lyn Cameron Penny Dockry Greg Rouse
Josh Jones Patrick Cheng Jim Dufour Steve Bennett
Jesse Powell Dominic Dufour Rose Dufour Scripps
Meg Rippy Chris Gawad Peter Franks Communications
Chelsea Rochman Adam Greco Lisa Gilfillan Scripps Collections
Timothy Stillinger Catherine Nickels Lucina Gonzalez Scripps Development
Darcy Taniguchi Erin Reed Phil Hastings Scripps Web Ops
Andrew Titmus Erik Raudzens Amy Hays Ship Scheduling Office
Marci Rosenberg Brian Hentschel Shipboard Technical
SEAPLEX Faculty Ashley Salas John Hildebrand Support
Advisors Summer Strutt Capt. Wes Hill & crew of Beth Simmons
Jim Leichter R/V New Horizon Annie Townsend
Mark Ohman Algalita Marine Eunha Hoh Eric Wolff
Research Foundation David Hyrenbach
Dimitry Abramenkoff Tony Koslow
Project Kaisei Mike Landry
Bruce Appelgate
Doug Woodring Gustaf Arrhenius Kara Lavender Law