Using Animal Behavior Skills to Address Practical Problems

Biol352
Closed
College of Wooster
Wooster, Ohio, United States
Laura Sirot
Professor
2
Timeline
  • March 3, 2025
    Experience start
  • May 20, 2025
    Experience end
Experience
2/2 project matches
Dates set by experience
Preferred companies
Anywhere
Any company type
Education, Environment, Mining, forestry & fishery, Non-profit, philanthropic & civil society

Experience scope

Categories
Public relations Data analysis Communications Community engagement Scientific research
Skills
analytical skills scientific studies science communication constructive feedback ethical standards and conduct research reports scientific literature peer review critical thinking communication
Learner goals and capabilities

Learners in this course have developed skills in the scientific study of animal behavior by analyzing and synthesizing well-studied investigations of specific behaviors. They can:


  • Critically evaluate primary scientific literature and historical studies in animal behavior.
  • Apply theoretical frameworks to explain behaviors through development, mechanisms, evolutionary history, and adaptive function.
  • Conduct detailed case-study investigations into specific animal behaviors.
  • Communicate findings effectively to both specialized and general audiences.
  • Create educational materials
  • Examine ethical and societal dimensions of research on animal behavior.


Learners

Learners
Undergraduate
Intermediate, Advanced levels
15 learners
Project
25 hours per learner
Educators assign learners to projects
Teams of 4
Expected outcomes and deliverables

Outcomes:

  1. Students will engage in rigorous research activities to deepen their understanding of animal behavior.
  2. They will analyze case studies and use critical thinking to evaluate real-world applications of their findings.
  3. Learners will develop skills in communicating scientific findings to diverse audiences.


Deliverables:

  1. Annotated Bibliographies: Comprehensive reviews of scientific literature, highlighting key findings and their implications.
  2. Science Communication Projects: Written and visual materials aimed at educating the general public about key concepts in animal behavior.
  3. Research Reports: Detailed documentation of hypotheses, experimental design, results, and interpretations.
  4. Peer Reviews: Constructive feedback on the work of their peers to improve collaborative and analytical skills.


Project timeline
  • March 3, 2025
    Experience start
  • May 20, 2025
    Experience end

Project Examples

Requirements

Example 1: Reduction of dog bites in the community

Objective: Develop a public relations tool to reduce dog bites in Wayne County, Ohio

Deliverables:

  • Research on dog bite frequencies and contexts
  • Proposal to collaborator.
  • Creation of a dog bite prevention video aimed at elementary school children with option for interactive feedback.

Example 2: Reduction of returns of adopted dogs

Objective: Develop proposal for reducing number of returns of dog adopted from Wayne County Adoption Center and Dog Shelter

Deliverables:

  • Research on reasons for dog returns and problematic behavior of dogs in homes
  • Development of a new collaborative course in which students are trained in client communication and addressing common dog behavioral issues

Example 3: Education about bat biology and conservation

Objective: Create education materials to boost awareness.

Deliverables:

  • Videos on bat biology, conservation, and how to respond when a bat is found in a dorm
  • Educational posters
  • Research and planting of a garden to attract nocturnal insects
  • Construction and mounting of bat houses with educational placards

Additional company criteria

Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:

  • Q1 - Text short
    Will this project be related to animal project in some way?  *
  • Q2 - Text short
    Will you be available to meet virtually on Wednesday afternoons Eastern Time for one hour between 1-3:50pm (Eastern Times) three times for check-ins during the project?  *