Research Mission

The dock

The Research Department at the Lloyd Center conducts rigorous natural science research programs and evidence-based environmental education research. Our objective is to inspire lifelong stewardship of nature and to enhance understanding of coastal ecosystems for all people utilizing overarching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) approaches. We consider environmental education and research fundamental to our work and maintain that research in both science and education should inform, evaluate, transform and refine the experiences we provide to our learners, educators, scientists, and the broader community.

Through collaborative research methodologies, immersive educational programs, hands-on teacher professional development workshops, and community engagement, we disseminate knowledge, transform human impacts on our environment, foster scientific literacy, and empower individuals to become informed decision-makers who contribute to the conservation and resilience of southeastern New England's natural environments and beyond.

Research Department Strategic Objectives

Make Environmental Education the Foundation of Every Program

  • Embed environmental education in all research, teaching, and outreach initiatives of Lloyd Center for the Environment.
  • Promote ecological literacy, scientific inquiry, conservation values, and environmental stewardship for all participants.
  • Engage participants in scientific investigations to show how research informs conservation and environmental decision-making. Making human impacts on environment front and center of our approach.

Establish Excellence in Education Research

  • Develop a comprehensive education research program to explore the effectiveness and impact of educational activities of our programs. We operate as a cross-functional team to design research frameworks, pilot research-based evaluation tools and identify priority study areas as per the need(s) of the overall STEM education field.
  • Conduct regional, national and international consultancy work to help organizations understand the need for the future of the environmental education field.
  • Use research-based methods and projects to improve/develop new curriculum, instructional strategies, and student outcomes/engagement strategies.
  • Advance environmental education by sharing knowledge through presentations, publications, and research findings.

Advance Scientific Research

  • Collaborate on natural science research to improve understanding, protection, and management of coastal ecosystems. In our programs, our staff scientists lead research initiatives, while education and outreach teams develop public programs, support community/citizen science projects, and facilitate external collaborations.
  • Increase opportunities for students, interns, volunteers, and community scientists to participate in research projects.
  • We work with various international, national, statewide, and private foundations to fund our natural science and environmental education research projects.
  • Share research findings widely through publications, reports, presentations, and community outreach.

Deliver Transformative Learning Experiences

  • Provide hands-on, inquiry-based learning through summer programs, fieldwork, school partnerships, teacher training, and community activities.
  • Develop inclusive, accessible programs that respect diverse cultures and engage all learners. Provide materials and programming in multiple languages, use adaptive resources for participants with different abilities, and design flexible activities for varied learning styles.
  • Encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and lasting connections with nature.

 Strengthen Research–Education Integration

  • Incorporate authentic research into educational programs so participants can engage with scientific questions and data.
  • Support collaboration between scientists and educators in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs.
  • Turn scientific discoveries into engaging educational experiences that inform the public and support conservation.

 Build Strategic Partnerships

  • Build stronger partnerships with schools, universities, conservation organizations, government agencies, and community groups.
  • Increase opportunities for collaborative research, joint educational programs, teacher training, and student engagement. Pursue partnerships that support departmental growth, broaden outreach, and increase impact.

Foster Innovation and Organizational Growth

  • Obtain external funding to support research, education, and program evaluation.
  • Prioritize staff development and foster a workplace that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Use data to measure outcomes, demonstrate impact, and guide planning. Key metrics include program participation, parent/guardian satisfaction/evaluation sheets, student learning reflective interviews, research outputs, community shareholder feedback, and progress toward grant and partnership goals.

Promote Conservation Through Knowledge and Action

  • Turn research findings into practical conservation guidance and improve public understanding. Equip people of all ages with the knowledge and skills to care for the environment and make evidence-based decisions.
  • Support the Lloyd Center in preserving the biodiversity of southeastern New England and serving as a model for environmental education and conservation.

We invite partnerships with organizations, schools, and community groups committed to advancing environmental research and education. Partners may collaborate with us to co-develop educational programs, undertake joint research initiatives, and extend community outreach. Through these collaborations, we can collectively broaden our impact and cultivate deeper connections to the natural world. For information and collaboration ideas, please contact Dr. Hamza Malik at hmalik@lloydcenter.org.

This organization is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.