Solutions-Focused Science Engagement + Multimedia = Increased Science Literacy (for science-informed decision-making and behavior change)
The SciLit Digital Research Group conducts research about the impacts of agricultural and natural resources science communication, engagement, and outreach.
What’s Coming Soon to Conferences from SciLit Digital
We will be at the People & Nature Symposium in February 2026 with the following accepted presentations:
Barnett, C., Loizzo, J. L., Hundemer, S., Warner, L., & Bjorndal, K. (2026, February). Generational echoes: An exploration of environmental evolution, emotion, and hope through the eyes of scientists. [Poster presentation]. People & Nature Symposium, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Koralasbayev, K., Loizzo, J., & Barry, S. (2026, February). Addressing seagrass conservation challenges through stakeholder perspectives [Poster Presentation]. People & Nature Symposium, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Stoutamire, S., Loizzo, J. L., Russo, H., Bullard, A., Miller, C., & Salerno, C. (2026, February). Bug Battles: Live webcasts about insect weaponry connecting scientists and youth [Poster presentation]. People & Nature Symposium. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Loizzo, J. L., Barnett, C., Colson, E., Allen, M., Barry, S., Smyth, A., & Warner, L. (2026, February). Navigating coastal science outreach through natural disasters: Adapting a NOAA B-WET to hurricane impacts [Oral presentation]. People & Nature Symposium, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
SciLit Digital Publications
Beattie, P. N., Loizzo, J., Benge, M., Israel, G. D., Irani, T., & Place, N. T. (2024). Development of the Digital Field Experience model to engage adult Extension audiences synchronously online. Journal of Applied Communications, 108(3). https://doi.org/10.4148/1051-0834.2544
Aenlle, J. V., Stone, W., Beattie, P. N., & Loizzo, J. (2024). Mobile Podcast Production: How to Educate and Engage through Online Audio. The Journal of Extension, 62(3), Article 3. https://open.clemson.edu/joe/vol62/iss3/3
Barnett, C. P. , Loizzo, J., Bunch, J. C., Baker, S., & Anderson, M. P. (2024). Influence of charismatic animals on youths’ environmental knowledge and connection to water through the application of virtual reality tours. The Journal of Environmental Education, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2024.2349561
Ortiz-Guerrero, C., & Loizzo, J. (2024). Rocks really rock: Electronic field trips via Web Google Earth can generate positive impacts in attitudes toward Earth sciences in middle- and high-school students. Geoscience Communication, 7(1), 101-119. https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-7-101-2024
Dyment, M. A., Atkins, M., Loizzo, J., Stofer, K., & Decubellis, C. D. (2024). From the ground up: An arts-based analysis of online engagement impacts on youths’ conceptualizations of hydroponics and related careers. Journal of STEM Outreach, 7(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.15695/jstem/v7i1.09
Loizzo, J., Hundemer, S., Spandau, G., Smidt, S., Akers, A., Bhadha, J., & Her, Y. G. (2024). An exploration of early career agricultural and natural resource scientists’ perceptions of social responsibility. International Journal of Science Education, Part B, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2024.2335673
Loizzo, J., Nickerson, C., Barnett, C., Nash, T., Warner, L., Barry, S., & Allen, M. (2023). Restore the Shore: Online STEM engagement impacts on youths’ conceptualizations of living shorelines and connection to water. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 3-4(22), 158-176. https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2023.2268074
Aenlle, J. V., Meredith, M., Loizzo, J. L., & Akers, A. (2022). A podcast ethnography: Exploring COVID-19’s effect on the scientific enterprise. International Journal of Arts, Humanities & Social Science, 03(09), 32-36. https://doi.org/10.56734/ijahss.v3n9a4
Aenlle, J. V., Loizzo, J. Bunch, J. C., Stone, W., Meredith, M. & Ray, K. (2022) Conservation conversation: an arts-based approach to examine impacts of a live video webcast on youth viewers’ conceptualizations of forest ecosystems. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 3(21). https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2022.2034554
Stone, W., Loizzo, J., Aenlle, J., & Beattie, P. (2022). Labs and landscapes virtual reality: Student-created forest conservation tours for informal public engagement. Journal of Applied Communications, 106(1). https://doi.org/10.4148/1051-0834.2395
Beattie, P. N., Kent, K. W., Suits, T. E., Loizzo, J. L., & Bunch, J. C. (2021). Bats and Beyond: Communicating wildlife and climate change empathy to youth through an electronic field trip. Journal of Southern Agricultural Education Research.
McLeod-Morin, A., Beattie, P., Stone, W., Kent, K., Loizzo, J., & Telg, R. (2020). The science of mosquitoes: Youths’ perceptions, engagement, and learning from a Skype in the Classroom science communication program. Advancements in Agricultural Development, 1(2), 79-89. https://doi.org/10.37433/aad.v1i2.51
Krebs C.L., Loizzo J.L., Stone W.A., & Telg, R.W. (2020). Scientist Online: Entomologists’ experiences engaging with school audiences through Skype in the Classroom. Frontiers in Communication – Science and Environmental Communication, 5(576593). doi: 10.3389/fcomm.2020.576593
Beattie, P. N., Loizzo, J. L., Kent, K. W., Krebs, C. L., Suits, T. E., Bunch, J. C. (2020). Leveraging Skype in the Classroom for science communication: A Streaming Science – Scientist Online approach. Journal of Applied Communication, 104(3), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.4148/1051-0834.2328
Loizzo, J. & Beattie, P. (2019). Self-Study of a project-based graduate science communication course focused on electronic field trip development. Journal of North American College Teachers of Agriculture, 63(2).
Loizzo, J. L. (2019, July/August). Streaming Science: An intentional educational approach for developing the next generation of science communicators, educators, and extension specialists. The Agricultural Education Magazine, 92(1), 5-7.
Loizzo, J., Harner, M., Weitzenkamp, D., & Kent, K. (2019). Electronic field trips for science engagement: The Streaming Science model. Journal of Applied Communications, 103(4). https://doi.org/10.4148/1051-0834.2275
Loizzo, J. L. & Lillard, P. (2015). In the field: Introducing undergraduates to Extension through a blended project-based multimedia production course. The Journal of Extension, 53(1).
Adedokun, O. A., Hetzel, K., Parker, L. C., Loizzo, J. L., Burgess, W. D., & Robinson, J. P. (2012). Using virtual field trips to connect students with university scientists: core elementsand evaluation of Purdue zipTripsTM. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 21(5), 607–618. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10956-011-9350-z
Adedokun, O. A., Parker, L. C., Loizzo, J.L., Burgess, W. D., & Robinson, J. P. (2012). Factors influencing participant perceptions of program impact: lessons from a virtual fieldtrip for middle-school students. Journal of Extension [Online], 49(6) Article 6FEA8. Available at http://www.joe.org/joe/2011december/a8.php
Adedokun, O. A., Parker, L. C., Loizzo, J. L., Burgess, W. D., Robinson, J. P. (2011). A field trip without buses: connecting your students to scientists through a virtual visit. Science Scope, 34(9).
Parker, L. C., Adedokun, O. A., Loizzo, J. L., & Burgess, W. D. (2010). Purdue zipTripsTM:Connecting students and scientists through electronic field trips. IL Spectrum, 36(2), 36–43.
Ask IFAS EDIS Publications
STREAMING SCIENCE #2: USING WEBCAST ELECTRONIC FIELD TRIPS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE
STREAMING SCIENCE #4: USING PODCASTS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE
STREAMING SCIENCE #5: USING VIRTUAL REALITY TOURS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE
Meet the SciLit Digital Research Team
Dr. Loizzo is the founder of Streaming Science and is the lead faculty member of the SciLit Digital Research Team. She is originally from Hillsboro, Illinois. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Radio-Television from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, her master’s degree and PhD in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University. Dr. Loizzo started her career in academia at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she was an Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. After spending three years at UNL, Dr. Loizzo moved South to become an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Communication in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida. She has been a Gator since the fall of 2018.
Research interests: science communication, science literacy, media literacy, trust in science, scientists, and the media, project-based learning, online learning and teaching, distance education, arts-based research, and virtual ethnography.
Caroline Barnett is a doctoral candidate (May 2026) focusing her studies in agricultural and natural resources communication in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication with a certificate in aquatic animal care and conservation. She is originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, and has earned her bachelor’s degree in marine sciences with minors in international studies in agricultural and life sciences, agricultural communications, and classics from the University of Florida. She graduated with her M.S. Degree in the spring of 2022.
Research interests: formal and informal approaches to marine science and natural resource communication, virtual reality and 360-degree tours, public perceptions of environmental issues, connectedness to water, arts-based research methodology, shifting baseline syndrome and its applications in agricultural and natural resources, eco-anxiety, eco-grief, eco-spirituality, and eco-hope.
Lexi Bolger is a doctoral student in Interdisciplinary Ecology in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment. She earned her bachelor’s degree in marine sciences from UF in 2020 and masters in Agricultural Education and Communication from UF in 2024. Lexi hopes to combine her background in paleontology, marine science, and science communication to develop and evaluate informal K-12 STEM education programs. Outside of school, she volunteers with the Natural Resources Diversity Initiative and enjoys reading science fiction novels, hiking at Sweetwater, and baking with her stand mixer.
Research interests: social and collaborative learning within informal and digital educational environments, arts-based research, narrative inquiry, and science communication.
Maggie Murphy is a doctoral student in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, where she focuses her research on agricultural communication. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural education and communication from the University of Florida, completing a thesis at each level. Her academic journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing the field through research, education, and outreach.
Clifton Strengths Signature Themes: strategy, relatability, achievement, responsibility, and ideation.
Caitlin Lunzmann is a PhD student in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida. She is originally from Whitby, Ontario. She earned her bachelor’s degree in animal biology from the University of Guelph and her master’s degree in agricultural education and communication from the University of Florida. She has worked with horses for over 15 years in various roles, including carriage driver and trail guide. She is passionate about the impact horses and animals have on human lives and is eager to continue this work through her PhD studies and her future career.
Research interests: impact of horse experience on youth development; impact of horse-human bonds; human-animal interaction (HAI); leadership; and informal, experiential education
Shenara Ramadan is a Brazilian journalist specializing in corporate communications who has worked in this segment for over ten years. Shenara has had a lifelong affiliation with agriculture. She spent a great deal of time at the farm of her grandfather in her youth, where her family was involved in farming tilapia, raising cattle, and looking after sugarcane and citrus plantations. Professionally, she was responsible for many years for the communication activities of a multinational agriculture company in Brazil, and she also ran a global event for agribusiness journalists with the participation of professionals from over 30 countries and a Brazilian Journalism Award that received 242 submissions by 116 journalists in its last edition. Besides her activities as a master’s degree student in agricultural communication, she likes exploring outside, cooking, discovering new cultures, and learning new languages.
Kamila Koralasbayev is a master’s student pursuing a degree in the department of Agricultural Education and Communication. She is originally from Bethesda, Maryland and she earned her bachelor’s degree in marine sciences at the University of Florida. She has a passion for conservation and science communication and hopes to pursue a career in environmental outreach.
Research interests: science communication, marine conservation, extension, public perceptions of natural resources, science education and engagement
Rola Jiang is a master’s student in Interdisciplinary Ecology in the School of Natural Resources and Environment. She is originally from Rhode Island and earned her bachelor’s degrees in biology and secondary education from Rhode Island College. Rola hopes to leverage her skills in teaching and integrate it with her studies to become a better science communicator.
Research Interests: Science education, science communication, environmental science, informal teaching and learning, and project-based learning.
Charles Overdevest is an undergraduate student majoring in environmental science in the University of Florida’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment with a minor in Geography. He is from Gainesville, Florida so he grew up appreciating North Central Florida’s unique environment. His daily can be broken into just a few things: school, research, eating, sleeping, and playing ultimate frisbee.
Research Interests: Applied environmental science communication, behavior change, wetland science communication, academic podcasting, informal education, and how far he could throw a frisbee on the moon.
Past Members
