Junior Outdoor Food Navigator
Faculty mentor/Supervisor:
Xiangyou Shen
Email Address:
Department Affiliation:
Forest Ecosystems & Society
Project Location:
Corvallis
Project Description:
JOFN is a place-based climate change education program designed to foster youth climate resilience and environmental health through positive outdoor food experiences. An highly interdisciplinary project, JOFN curriculum is co-developed by researchers and Extension specialists in environmental education, nutrition and epidemiology, nature play, and youth development. It anchors environmental education in the context of food systems as they are impacted by climate change. The project employs synergistic delivery by engaging 1st-8th graders in creative, sensual, and active outdoor learning and play to increase engagement, nature connections, and pro-environment behavior. During JOFN on-site program, children learn about food systems and climate change through mini-lectures (e.g., carbon/water footprints), play-based learning activities (e.g., climate adaptation/mitigation strategy puzzles), positive food experiences facilitated by a mobile teaching kitchen, and tours (e.g., Traditional Ecological Knowledge demo with native plant species at a forestry arboretum, learning about heat-tolerant vegetable cultivation at an urban horticultural center), all threaded by daily storytelling that engaged imagination and fantasy (e.g., travel through climate-resilient plant portals to visit future climate scenarios).
This is an excellent research project to get involved in for undergraduate students interested in environmental education, health and climate resilience, and innovative and interdisciplinary research.
Describe the type of work and tasks you anticipate the student will perform:
Student assistant's work will focus on analyzing and interpreting data, and help prepare finding dissemination materials. There will also be an opportunity to co-author on manuscript(s) if student's contribution justifies it.
Please list special or preferred skills::
Required skills:
1. Strong qualitative and/or quantitative analytical skills (experience in SPSS, Excel data analysis, or other statistical software)
2. Independent and team work skills
Preferred skills:
1. Data visualization and PPT/ slide design experience
2. Research experience or work/life experience related to environmental education, health, and/or play/active living/food education
3. Strong writing and oral communication skills
Hourly rate of pay:
$15.00
What is the expected timeline of this project?:
The project team completed the main part of on-site implementation in the summer of 2023. Data analysis is expected to complete by the end of the fall of 2023, followed by dissemination through workshops and conference presentations. Additional implementation with tribal communities may also be developed.
Are special skills or knowledge required to work on this project?:
Yes
Will training be provided?:
Yes
How many hours per week do you anticipate a student to work?:
15-20
How many hours per week do you anticipate engaging in direct mentorship?:
An average of 1-2 hours per week
Detail your mentorship plan:
In addition to the standard student research assistant training provided at the HEAL lab, I will provide project-specific on-boarding training to familiarize the student researcher with the project and data, and co-design an individualized mentoring plan that includes regular update/check-in, participation in project team meetings, and opportunities to share/present work result to the team. Student researcher will also be encouraged to present their work at OSU's undergraduate research excellence showcase. If desired, I'll mentor the student research in academic writing and support them to prepare sections that can be included in a manuscript for publication.