Megan Ennes
Assistant Curator
- Gainesville FL UNITED STATES
- Florida Museum of Natural History
Megan Ennes supports science interests using family museum programming, professional development and climate change communication research.
Contact More Open optionsBiography
Megan Ennes is the assistant curator of Museum Education and director of the Thompson Earth Systems Institute at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Her research focuses on how museums can support the science interests and career aspirations of underrepresented groups through family programming and civic engagement. Megan also conducts research on how to help museum educators and scientists more effectively engage in climate change communication with the public.
Areas of Expertise
Social
Articles
Family influence and STEM career aspirations
International Encyclopedia of EducationMegan E. Ennes, et. al
2022-11-18
The aim of this chapter is to discuss current research examining family influences on the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) interests and career aspirations of their children. The role of science capital and family science habitus on the development of STEM interests is described. This is followed by a discussion of how parents, early childhood experiences, gender and minoritization affect the STEM interests and career aspirations of children.
Children and parents’ perceptions of access to science tools at home and their role in science self-efficacy
Research in Science EducationMegan E. Ennes, et. al
2022-11-14
Families play a vital role in the development of the science interests and career aspirations of youth. Of particular interest is how a family’s science capital and science habitus impact how children see themselves in relation to science. One aspect of science capital that has emerged as foundational in children’s levels of science self-efficacy and academic self-concept is their access to science related tools outside of school.
Testing the influence of visual framing on engagement and pro-environmental action
Conservation Science and PracticeGabby Salazar, et. al
2022-09-17
Although images play a significant role in environmental communications, few studies have empirically examined whether positive or negative images are more effective at engaging attention and promoting behavior change. We conducted a six-week public experiment at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, Florida, to test whether viewing a photography exhibit featuring images of the impacts of marine plastic pollution on ocean ecosystems or images of pristine ocean ecosystems would increase engagement, monetary donations to conservation and pledges to help protect the ocean from plastic pollution.
