The scientific method, at its foundation, is ultimately the building of a story. From surveying the scientific literature to find that unexplored niche to collecting samples and analyzing data, scientists are charged with bringing forth answers to questions that elucidate “how things work”. However, once data are collected and studies are published, how does that work make an impact beyond the scientific community? Furthermore, if the goal is public use, how can non-scientists be expected to embrace the data if they struggle to understand it? 

The answers to these questions are often sourced in the planning process, which typically begins months before the data is released. Through years of effectively helping our clients bridge the gap between foundational science and public awareness, Waterborne’s experts have learned that developing a "scientific data-general public connection" is an intricately intertwined process that begins with 1) technical assistance that translates the scientific data into formats appropriate for public/end-user understanding, followed by 2) a public outreach program carefully curated to educate and inform. Over time, we have developed a keen understanding of what successful outreach and technical assistance efforts entail, and we adapt our process to meet each client’s unique needs using the following outreach principles:

1. Communication: successful communication must begin with effectively translating detailed and data-driven scientific concepts into language that is tenable to the intended audience
2. Build a Team: translating data requires individuals who possess a wide variety of technical expertise and can provide data-driven answers to pressing real-world questions
3. Connect Stakeholders: we connect with local stakeholders, be they in one region or across many states, to create strong, enduring partnerships. These stakeholders will help fuel engagement by acting as “trusted messengers” in the field

Waterborne has recently employed the above principles to develop comprehensive technical assistance and outreach “gameplans” on behalf of several state-based clients. This figure conceptualizes the bottom-up flow of resources to ultimately provide the client with their desired product or set of services. However, the concepts of “outreach & education” and “technical assistance,” while often referred to separately, have become inextricably linked in our strategy for successful engagement. 

Our experts have found that successful technical assistance only comes when paired with outreach efforts that are carefully crafted to engage the right individuals at critical timepoints. For example, when developing an internet-based interface tool to help farmers employ conservation practices on their land, Waterborne convened outreach events to seek feedback on the functionality of the tool from stakeholders who would likely field questions from those same farmers about the tool in the future. Therefore, the endpoint of our client’s desired technical assistance was reinforced by continuous feedback from “trusted messengers” in the agricultural field, ensuring that the tool meets the needs of the end user. 

As scientific discovery is a constantly-evolving “story”, we’ve come to understand our clients’ needs for an approach to technical assistance and outreach that evolves with new data, availability of information, and level of public awareness. We approach these challenges with the flexibility to adapt to the needs of the end user while meeting the objectives of the client in focus. So if your science is looking for its “story”, let Waterborne develop cutting-edge tools and products that resonate with your audience and support their needs in an evolving environment.