Neon Addressing the Nation's Environmental Challenges (2004) / Chapter Skim
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4. Effect of the National Ecological Observatory Network on the Scientific Community, Education, and Public Outreach
4. Effect of the National Ecological Observatory Network on the Scientific Community, Education, and Public Outreach
Pages 67-76
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From page 67... ...
The resulting advances in our understanding of ecological processes now need to be extended to regional and continental scales to allow the accumulated knowledge to be applied to the nation's most pressing environmental problems. As a first step in extending the spatial scope of environmental research, the scientific community has set up such collaborative or integrative programs as Biodiversity and Ecosystem Processes in Terrestrial Herbaceous Ecosystems and DIVERSITAS but those programs provide little, if any, financial support and no research infrastructure.
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From page 68... ...
The next step in expanding the spatial scope of environmental research requires concerted experimental and observational efforts on large spatial and temporal scales. Such studies would require advanced technologies and standardization of equipment and data analysis.
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From page 69... ...
NSF's new IGERT program is relevant to NEON not because of its role in the organization of research efforts, but because of its interdisciplinary team approach designed to foster integrated education across standard disciplines, often at field-station locations. The success of several IGERT projects suggests that advances in graduate training can occur when it is carried out in the framework of large, coordinated research projects.
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From page 70... ...
. After the Belgrade Charter in 1976, the Tbilisi Declaration the world's first intergovernment conference on environmental educationestablished three broad objectives that still provide the foundation for the achievement of the above-stated goal (UNESCO 1978~: 70
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From page 71... ...
. They sought programs that would attract graduate students and faculty to courses on research technique and use and on integration of datasets and that would encourage the dissemination of methods, materials, and information into undergraduate and graduate curricula.
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From page 72... ...
In re-examining undergraduate curricula in light of current research needs, NEON observatories would lead the way, presenting examples of current research that exemplify how science consists of unanswered questions and providing extended researchbased opportunities for students to ask questions, make observations, analyze data, experience teamwork, work with mentors, and obtain a real-world view of the life of an interdisciplinary researcher (NRC 2003a)
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From page 73... ...
For example, the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment program provides opportunities for students to conduct valuable scientific work, analyze the results and use advanced technologies. Students also have the opportunity to communicate with others nationally and internationally.
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From page 74... ...
panel recommend an increased focus on informal education as an effective tool for increasing environmental literacy (PCAST 1998, NSB 2000~. PCAST states that informal education is very cost-effective and people enjoy learning informally 74
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From page 75... ...
The consortium is combining and integrating its education and research efforts in the member institutions and in coordinated programs for the general public focused on local natural science. Displays, exhibits, weekend programs, volunteer opportunities, training, a magazine, and a Web site are some of the informal coordinated educational efforts targeted to the 8 minion people in the Chicago metropolitan area (PCAST 1998~.
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From page 76... ...
The American Institute of Biological Sciences white paper on NEON suggests that each NEON observatory have a funded outreach office to promote such public inclusion. The office would interact with broadcast and print media, develop articles for press releases and magazines, promote coverage on radio and television, publish newsletters, and develop a public Web site.
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