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
Loizzo, J., Murphy, M., White, S., Hundemer, S., Porazinska, D., Powers, T., Powers, K., Freese, E., Altman, D., & Koehler, C. (2026, October 6–9). Microscopic marvels: Place-based science storytelling and audience impacts [Research workshop]. 23rd Annual North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium, Portland, OR, United States.
Murphy, M., Loizzo, J., & Baker, L. (2026, October 6–7). From field to screen [Poster presentation]. 23rd Annual North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium, Portland, OR, United States.
Overdevest, C., Loizzo, J., & Robison, C. (2026, October 6–9). Swamped: Examining scientist credibility perceptions and wetlands learning through podcasts [Research presentation]. 23rd Annual North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium, Portland, OR, United States.
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.
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.
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.
Past Members
