Centre for Ocean Life - Seminar 3 and end of Fulbright experience

My last few days at DTU Aqua were a whirlwind of reviewing our progress, preparing several draft reports and my final seminar for the Centre for Ocean Life students and faculty.

The third seminar focused on writing goals, SMART objectives, evaluation and the resulting Project Description in the COSEE NOW Broader Impacts wizard. Several examples were prepared to share with the participants based on audience: professional development for  K-12 teachers, working with media to develop a video, and an example regarding policy and government.

Seminar 3: Preparing the goals, objectives and project description.
Photo credit: Ivo Grigorov

Following the seminar and lunch, Kirsten, Ivo and I held a debrief meeting to review our progress to date and plan the follow-up activities to ensure our work would continue upon my return to the US. I was fortunate to work with fantastic people - many thanks to my office mates Ivo Grigorov, Kirsten Thomsen, and Henrik Haslund!

Ivo Grigorov, my DTU Aqua host.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

The mid-afternoon surprise was a lovely farewell gathering in the castle dining room, complete with homemade cake provided by Mrs. Magic, Lis Vinther Elmsted! Then right back to work in developing a logic model to outline the work we've done and outline where we plan to go in the next few months.

As I prepared to leave my office in the castle for the last time, I reflected on my amazing experience - three seminars for graduate students and faculty, meetings with staff of the Copenhagen International School and the Den Blå Planet, a presentation to the communications group at the ICES conference, the TransAtlantic Ocean Literacy meeting, the EMSEA conference in Crete, and a visit to the DTU Aqua Shellfish Center! We'll finish the TOL meeting report as well as update the 2014 TOL Implementation Plan, and continue to refine the logic models developed for the Shellfish Center and the Centre for Ocean Life. Although I head for home, the good work will continue!

A fond farewell to Charlottenlund castle.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

Centre for Ocean Life - Seminar 2

Image credit: Centre for Ocean Life

Seminar for the Centre for Ocean Life - Wednesday, September 23, 2015

The second iteration of the seminar series focused on explaining scientific research to non-expert audiences.  The platform was the COSEE-NOW (Networked Ocean World) Broader Impacts Wizard - Audience section.

Leading a seminar on broader impacts at DTU Aqua.
Photo credit: Ivo Grigorov

This session was purposefully designed to be interactive and hands-on. Each participant worked through a series of web-based activities designed to provide a personally tailored experience with the individual's scientific research and preferred audience.

Broader Impacts wizard - making your science relevant to for your audience.
Image credit: COSEE-NOW

Budgetary considerations necessary for broader impacts was also discussed. Participants chose activities appropriate for their audience, and selected education partners to help reach the intended audience.

Working through activities in the COSEE-NOW Broader Impacts wizard.
Photo credit: Ivo Grigorov

Participants electing to create a login and password for the site benefited from the ability of the Broader Impacts wizard to produce a Project Description based on selections specified throughout the process. A reference list of appropriate educational research resources is also generated, tailored to an indvidual's input.

The final seminar in the series will take place on October 14 and focus on developing a project description, goals, SMART objectives and the evaluation of broader impacts.

Centre for Ocean Life-Seminar 1 and Getting Around Copenhagen

Image credit: Centre for Ocean Life

Seminar for the Centre for Ocean Life 

The Centre for Ocean Life is a Villum Kann Rasmussen Centre of Excellence, working to better understand marine ecosystems by bringing together multiple marine science research disciplines.

Yesterday I provided a seminar for more than 20 graduate students, faculty and staff on how to develop societally relevant research questions through education and outreach. In addition to an explanation of my experience in research science and education and an overview of the Fulbright Specialist Program, topics included the Ocean Literacy campaign and highlights of the work of the Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE). Activities discussed included the results of the COSEE Scientist Engagement Survey, the COSEE-TEK Ocean Science and Technology Day, and the COSEE NOW Broader Impacts Wizard. The next seminar will focus on selecting an appropriate audience for a research project's the education and outreach efforts.

Placing scientific research in a societal context.
Photo credit: Ivo Grigorov

A Bicycle Friendly City

Copenhagen rivals Amsterdam as the most bike-friendly city in the world. Each day, I can take a train (tog) or ride a bike to DTU Aqua.  Dedicated bicycle lanes are located between the pedestrian sidewalk and the street, and you can take a bicycle on most trains and the metro during non-peak hours. As I attempt to fully experience Danish culture, I'd like you to meet my main mode of transportation for my stay in Copenhagen!

Dedicated bike lane.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

A borrowed bicycle ensures easy access to the Copenhagen area - thanks Ivo!
Photo credit: Ivo Grigorov