Abstract
SEAHIVE™ is an engineered marine and estuarine protection system under development at the University of Miami (UM). The system is a pilot installation in Pompano Beach, Florida, Hillsboro Inlet Park, where Wahoo Bay, an educational marine park, has been envisioned to provide an immersive experience for park visitors, especially young children. The purpose of the park is to raise awareness of the importance of keeping our oceans and reefs healthy and thriving in an entertaining, educational, and memorable way. The internship centered around creating effective educational displays for the public at the Wahoo Bay SEAHIVE installation.
Information is mainly on mangroves, marine communities, and how SEAHIVE is representative of sea-level rise and climate change mitigation efforts. Research on public perception, public engagement, and citizen science was conducted to learn how to effectively engage and inform the park audiences. Research includes various delivery methods of conveying information in parks, recreational facilities, and public spaces, both physically and conceptually.
Case studies on how similar projects were conducted and exhibits, such as the mangrove exhibit at the Frost Museum of Science, provide technical and literary aspects. Information about Wahoo Bay, mangrove habitats, and marine communities comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are accessible for people with multiple educational backgrounds. Other duties included visiting the MANG mangrove nursery site, speaking with park and city officials, and obtaining park details to assess the installation of plaques or other display methods. The final project includes sketches, scientific illustrations, written reports, and a general plan to best implement educational outreach. This consists of a park display design proposal and revision suggestions for the Wahoo Bay website. All information will be submitted to the City of Pompano Beach.