Abstract
This project presents a two-part digital science communication initiative developed over the course of a year-long internship with the University of Miami’s Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) in partnership with the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) — a research facility under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) line office. This dual-pronged digital media project seeks to advance science communication in the digital age by delivering scientifically accurate content through screen-based platforms. The initiative began with the design and development of 11 interactive, technology-focused web pages. The creation of the web pages was guided by evidence-based best practices in web design, user engagement, and accessibility. These pages were intended to serve as publicly available resources detailing the instrumentation and technologies central to AOML’s research programs. The second component involved the production of an immersive, 360° cinematic experience on coral resilience research conducted by scientists in PortMiami. Developed collaboratively between AOML and CIMAS coral scientists, the video emphasizes the unexpected survivorship of urban corals, aligning with key attributes of “sticky” science videos, as outlined in Finkler, & Leon (2019). The final product is currently featured in public exhibits at the Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, including the “Dive Theater” and Frost Planetarium, and is also available through virtual reality headsets and online platforms for broader outreach. Collectively, this project underscores the potential of multimedia and digital storytelling to bridge the gap between scientific research and public engagement, offering strategies for enhancing the visibility, accessibility, and impact of science communication.