EARLY-CAREER FELLOWSHIPS IN SCIENCE RESEARCH, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION, AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION

The Acadia Early-Career Fellows will engage learners of all ages in science, and advance science to inform park stewardship. Together, this cadre of early-career professionals will work alongside National Park Service and Schoodic Institute scientists, educators, communicators, and resource managers in Acadia National Park and surrounding areas. These highly competitive fellowships are intended for motivated, early-career individuals (within three years of earning a Bachelor’s degree) seeking a springboard experience for their careers working at the intersection of conservation, scientific research, education, and communication. The Science Research Fellow will engage in field efforts for management-focused research across Acadia, such as monitoring seasonal bird populations, assessing biodiversity, working with resource managers, and engaging park visitors in science learning. Based on research priorities, the fellow will lead ongoing research related to bird populations and habitat conservation and restoration, including field data collection, data analysis, and synthesis. The fellow’s research will directly inform management decisions to steward park resources. The Science Fellow will assist the Education Fellow with incorporating this research into science curricula and leading learning experiences with students. This fellow will also work closely with the Science Communication Fellow to share the science stories of Acadia with a diversity of audiences. The Environmental Science Education Fellow will develop and teach lessons as a part of the Schoodic Education Adventure (SEA) overnight, experiential education program, helping to 1 develop both the STEM and emotional learning portions of the curriculum for 5 th through 8 th grade students. The Education Fellow will lead in-person and virtual education programs. The fellow will assist the Science Fellow with conducting field research and then incorporating this research into learning experiences. This fellow will also work closely with the Science Communication Fellow to share science stories of Acadia. The Science Communication Fellow will create compelling stories of science in Acadia for a range of audiences via written and audio formats, including episodes of the Sea to Trees podcast. Specific story topics will be developed in coordination with communications staff and the fellow’s interests and abilities. The Communication Fellow will work closely in the field and classroom with the Science and Education Fellows, contributing to research and education and helping these fellows tell their stories of science in Acadia to a diversity of audiences. All three fellows are expected to participate in weekly photo submissions for social media, create content for the Schoodic Institute website, and attend or present at Schoodic events such as lectures, symposia, and fundraising events.