Effective data presentation and science communication skills taught by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, the leader in Environmental Science. Teaching educators to work with students to communicate like our scientists using the very familiar format of a report card. Socio-environmental report cards are the tool used to synthesize data into stories to both inform and engage.

Storytelling with Data using Socio-environmental Report Cards Earning Criteria

Learning Objectives

• Compare and contrast different environmental approaches and socio-environmental report cards.
• Critique the different approaches used in environmental assessments and socio-environmental report cards.
• Create image-rich socio-environmental report cards that are accessible to a wide and diverse audience.
• Create a reporting framework for a case study to generate a socio-environmental report cards.
• Produce appealing graphs and charts that avoid ‘chart junk’ or ‘map clutter’.
• Craft a narrative using the ‘and, but, therefore’ template.
• Develop a best-practice compelling science communication.

Course Modules

Module 1:

• What are Report Cards?
• Why Report Cards?
• Report Card Application
• From Qualitative to Quantitative
• Distilling Data
• Incorporating New Indicators
• Evaluation of Report Card Impacts

Module 2:

• Report Card Process
• Enabling Conditions
• Stakeholder Analysis
• Project Planning 1
• Project Planning 2
• Workshop Planning
• Facilitation and Engagement

Module 3:

• Identifying Values and Threats
• Identifying Indicators
• Indicator Qualities
• Defining Thresholds
• Calculating Scores and Grades
• Gaining Stakeholder Consensus

Module 4:

• Communication strategies
• Communicating Results
• Designing Report Cards
• Stakeholder-led Approach
• Optimizing Collaborations
• Systems Modelling

Module 5:

• Communication strategies
• Communicating Results
• Designing Report Cards
• Stakeholder-led Approach
• Optimizing Collaborations
• Systems Modelling