Abstract
Communication of NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (NOAA AOML) scientific knowledge to the American public is a priority supported by annual communication goals and educational strategies (NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, 2022). The topic of environmental DNA (eDNA) is gaining more attention and popularity among researcher in the marine science and conservation field (Chavez et al., 2021). NOAA AOML scientists have made advancements in eDNA research and sampling technology through the development of the Subsurface Automated Sampler for eDNA.
In the context of the Covid pandemic, many institutions and programs have transitioned to a virtual work or distance learning environment in which the use of video for communication and learning has increased (Pattier, 2021). This internship project involved the development and launch of an educational video series, “Exploring Environmental DNA”, about eDNA and technology developed by NOAA AOML for eDNA sampling. The target audience segments for the videos included families, students, educators, NOAA leadership and partners. Educator guidance and tailored content was developed for each NOAA AOML platform used to post the videos series. Best practices for optimized video design and principles for reducing extraneous processing were incorporated into the content. Videos were shared with NOAA offices and partners, receiving elevated exposure by being featured on NOAA and NOAA Research platforms.
Measuring video effectiveness and media analytics were not a focus in the scope of this study. Future studies should conduct a detailed assessment media analytics to understand video engagement, web traffic, audience, and other metrics informing the effectiveness of the video series. A pilot study should also be done with a school group and educators to gather feedback and better understand how the video series contributed to student learning in the classroom.