Encyclopedia of Life Blog

NESCent, the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center, hosted representatives from EOL and the major national biology centers Oct 6-7.  The meeting focused on how EOL and the national centers can communicate effectively about science and can improve science education training and programs.  Although the centers have different foci (evolution = NESCent, ecological observations = NEON, plants = iPlant, mathematical biology = NIMBioS, biodiversity = EOL BioSynC, ecology = NCEAS), they have a common mission to advance scientific knowledge, to improve understanding about science, and to help train future scientists.  All of the centers host postdoctoral scientists, interns, and synthesis meetings, but their methods for training and communication vary widely. Centers use combinations of press releases, blogs, twitter, facebook, local NPR stations, local reporters, and news services to get their message out.  The centers range in age from 15 years (NCEAS) to 0 years (NEON) and we spent a lot of time discussing best practices and learning from the more senior centers.  EOL was represented by Audrey Aronowsky (Synthesis Group) and Tracy Barbaro (L&E Group).  The meeting was an excellent opportunity for EOL to collaborate with the national bio centers for potential EOL content, but more importantly for increasing the public’s awareness of and interest in science.