NSF Award Search: Award # 0917566 - Enabling TV Meteorologists to Provide Viewers with Climate Change-related Science Education Based on ISE 'Best Practices'

National Science Foundation

Award Abstract # 0917566

Enabling TV Meteorologists to Provide Viewers with Climate Change-related Science Education Based on ISE 'Best Practices'

NSF Org:	DRL Division Of Research On Learning
Awardee:
Initial Amendment Date:	August 31, 2009
Latest Amendment Date:	August 31, 2009
Award Number:	0917566
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Alphonse Desena DRL Division Of Research On Learning EHR Direct For Education and Human Resources
Start Date:	September 1, 2009
End Date:	August 31, 2012 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$1,060,432.00
Funds Obligated to Date:
History of Investigator:	Edward Maibach (Principal Investigator) emaibach@gmu.edu
Awardee Sponsored Research Office:	George Mason University 4400 UNIVERSITY DR FAIRFAX VA US 22030-4422 (703)993-2295
Sponsor Congressional District:
Primary Place of Performance:
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:
DUNS ID:
Parent DUNS ID:
NSF Program(s):	CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
Primary Program Source:
Program Reference Code(s):	7259, 9178, SMET
Program Element Code(s):	6891
Award Agency Code:
Fund Agency Code:
Assistance Listing Number(s):

ABSTRACT

This project identifies TV meteorologists as a potentially important source of informal science education on the topic of climate change. These professionals are a well-respected source of scientific information in their local communities, yet rarely address climate change in their weather broadcasts. Proposers will conduct a series of studies that explore both mechanisms and obstacles to using TV broadcasts as effective informal communication vehicles for scientific information about climate change.

In Study 1, they will identify methods already in use by "early adopters," compare them to best explanatory practices in informal science education, and make recommendations to improve practice. In Study 2, they will survey meteorologists and their news directors to determine their motivations and needs for information and materials regarding climate change. Based on their findings, and informed by prior work, they will develop a set of educational materials, principally a set of 30-second segments that can serve as a resource for TV meteorologists nation-wide. In Study 3, they will conduct a quasi-experimental evaluation of the materials with a TV station in Columbia, South Carolina to determine their impact on viewers.

The core project team includes experts in science communication and education, physical oceanography, broadcast meteorology, and media effects evaluation, and the advisory board includes the Vice President of Programs at the National Environmental Education Foundation and the Chief Meteorologist at The Weather Channel.

Dissemination mechanisms will include a range of publications and presentations for the research findings, and a website for the sharing of materials used by the early adopters.

Overall, the project will advance the informal science education field's understanding of both effective explanatory practices in broadcast media and the motivations and practices of an understudied group of professionals. It will investigate an innovative means of increasing public awareness and understanding of important topics in climate change, and as well as creating a set of video-clips and related materials based on careful study and best practices.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Maibach, E, Witte, J.C., Wilson, K. "â??Climategateâ?? undermined American TV meteorologistsâ?? belief in global warming and trust in climate scientists." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society , v.92 , 2011 , p.31

Witte, J., Gandy, J., Klinger, B., Cullen, H., Zhao, X., Rowan, K., Heller, N. & Maibach, E. "Developing and field testing TV climate science video segments" Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society , v.92 , 2011 , p.558

Maibach, E., Leiserowitz, A., Cobb, S., Shank, M., Cobb, K. & Gulledge, J. "The legacy of â??Climategate:â?? Undermining or revitalizing climate science and policy?" WIREs Climate Change. , 2012 10.1002/wcc.166

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