The art of marine science: collaborating with art students to create outreach and education tools on ocean acidification in the Florida Keys: Final report

Abstract

Ocean acidification and climate change research is beginning to make significant progress, but raises challenges for effectively communicating new findings to the public. Mote Marine Laboratory (MML) scientists have already begun working on this complex ecological issue in relation to the Florida Keys and are putting together new ways to ensure the information is received by the public. Groffman et al. (2010) have shown that scientists need to engage audiences in new ways, other than simple brochures or lectures. This includes involving people outside of the science realm, such as artists, who have skill sets where scientists aren’t typically trained. Artists are very creative and often present ideas that suggest alternate ways of visualizing. “The Art of Marine Science” is a new method that has been developed by MML scientists to address complex ecological issues by combining the talent of Ringling College of Art and Design students with research at Mote Marine Laboratory (MML) to produce outreach tools (Hall et al., 2012). We proposed to use this same method to develop outreach material on ocean acidification and potential effects on Florida coral reef ecosystems that can be used and displayed in aquariums, learning centers, classrooms, and as online resources. This project has increased awareness and literacy on ocean acidification and its effect of Florida coral reefs among students, tourists, and the general public with the production of unique outreach tools developed by talented art students working together with scientists.