• Department Links ▼
  • EFB Home
  • EFB Faculty
  • EFB Alumni Updates
  • Awards
  • Annual Reports
  • Calendar: Adaptive Peaks & EFB Events
  • Contact EFB
  • ESF in the High School
• Undergraduate Programs ▼
  • Introduction to Undergraduate Study in EFB
  • Courses
  • Majors:
  • Aquatic and Fisheries Science
  • Biotechnology
  • Conservation Biology
  • Environmental Biology
  • Forest Health
  • Natural History & Interpretation
  • Wildlife Science
• Graduate Programs ▼
  • Introduction to Graduate Study in EFB
  • Current Graduate Students
  • Programs of Study:
  • Applied Ecology
  • Chemical Ecology
  • Conservation Biology
  • Ecology
  • Entomology
  • Environmental Interpretation
  • Environmental Physiology
  • Fish and Wildlife Biology and Management
  • Forest Pathology and Mycology
  • Plant Biotechnology
  • Plant Science and Biotechnology
• Facilities & Research ▼
  • A New Home for EFB
  • On Campus & in the Field
  • Special Centers & Facilities:
  • Adirondack Ecological Center
  • American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project
  • Applied Microbiology, SUNY Center for
  • Center for Native Peoples and the Environment
  • Cranberry Lake Biological Station
  • Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
  • Quantitative Studies Laboratory
  • Roosevelt Wild Life Station
  • Salix Consortium
  • Thousand Islands Biological Station
  • Animal Care at ESF

Elizabeth Folta
Assistant Professor

356 Illick Hall
1 Forestry Dr.
Syracuse, New York 13210

Phone: (315) 470-4938/470-6760
Email: efolta@esf.edu

Education

• Ph.D. Science Education (Minor: Fisheries and Wildlife Science), NC State University
• M.N.R. Outdoor Recreation, NC State University
• B.F.A. Stage Management, University of NC School of the Arts

Research Interests

I am interested in using technology and Citizen Science to engage students in the natural environment.

1. Designing and implementing augmented reality games that offer students real world experiences in various science fields.
2. Using augmented reality games to train Citizen Scientist.
3. Improving the quality of Citizen Science data and training.

Courses Taught

• EFB 416/ 616 Introduction to Environmental Interpretation
• EFB 417/ 617 Perspectives of Interpretive Design

Undergraduate Minor

• Recreation Resources and Protected Area Management

Publications

Book & Book Chapter:
Annetta, L.A., Folta, E., & Klesath, M. J. (2010). V-Learning: Distance Education in the 21st Century Through 3D Virtual Learning Environments. Springer, The Netherlands.

Annetta, L.A., Minogue, J., Holmes, S., Folta, E., Cheng, M.T., & Klesath, M. (2008). Using Case Studies As The Narrative To Game Design and Development. In D. Gibson and Y.K. Baek (Eds.). Digital Simulations for Improving Education: Learning Through Artificial Teaching Environments. Hershey, PA: IGI Global

Journal Articles:
Cheng, M.T., Annetta, L.A., & Folta, E. (accepted March 27, 2010). Drugs and the brain: Learning the impact of methamphetamine abuse on the brain through virtual brain exhibit in the museum. International Journal of Science Education.

Annetta, L.A., Holmes, S.Y., Cheng, M.T., & Folta, E. (accepted March 08, 2010). Measuring student perceptions: Designing an evidenced centered activity model for a serious educational game development software. International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations.

Selected Presentations

Annetta, L.A., Klesath, M., Holmes, S.Y., Cheng, M.T., & Folta, E. (March 23, 2010). Racing into the 21st century: Usability testing results from a serious educational game. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association of the research in Science Teaching (NARST), Philadelphia, PA

Holmes, S.Y., Annetta, L.A., Cheng, M.T., & Folta, E. (March 23, 2010). Embedding assessment in serious educational games: Impacting the hawthorne effect. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association of the research in Science Teaching (NARST), Philadelphia, PA

Cheng, M.T., Folta, E., Annetta, L.A., & Holmes, S.Y. (March 23, 2010). Assessing post serious educational game attitudes through naturalistic inquiry. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association of the research in Science Teaching (NARST), Philadelphia, PA

Cheng, M.T., Annetta, L.A., Holmes, S.Y., Folta, E., & Cheng, W.K. (January 15, 2010). Virtual reality learning environment for drug use education. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Science Teacher Education, Sacramento, CA

Annetta, L.A., Holmes, S.Y., Cheng, M.T., Folta, E., & Cheng, W.K. (January 14, 2010). Testing usability of a serious educational physics game. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Science Teacher Education, Sacramento, CA

Cheng, M.T., Annetta, L.A., & Folta, E. (April 19, 2009). Learning the effects of Drug abuse on the brain by a virtual exhibit and video games in a museum. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for the Research in Science Teaching (NARST), Garden Grove, CA

Annetta, L.A., Folta, E., Cheng, M.T., & Holmes, S.Y. (January 10, 2009). Virtual Online Learning in Science Education: Investigating Graduate Student Perceptions For Using Competing Delivery Strategies. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Science Teacher Education, Hartford, CT

Cheng, M.T., Annetta, L.A., & Folta, E. (January 8, 2009). Drugs and the Brain: An Interesting Way to Learn the Effects of Drug Abuse on the Brain. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Science Teacher Education, Hartford, CT

Folta, E., Annetta, L.A., Cheng, M.T., & Holmes, S.Y. (January 8, 2009). Virtual Brain Museum Exhibit: A Learning Experience for Designers and Visitors Alike. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Science Teacher Education, Hartford, CT

Professional Memberships

• National Association of Interpreters (NAI)
• North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE)
• The National Association of Research in Science Teaching (NARST)
• Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE)

Certifications

• Project Learning Tree Facilitator
• NC Environmental Education Certification
• NC State University GIS Certification
• Wildlife Chemical Immobilization Certification - Safe Capture International
• PADI Rescue Diver

Awards

• 2002 National Park Service’s “On the Spot Award” – Blue Ridge Parkway
• 2001 National Park Service’s “Time-off Recognition” – Cape Hatteras National Seashore
• 2000 Selected to be 1of 50 published in the Department of Interior’s, “Safety Day Idea Book”
• 1999 National Park Service’s “On the Spot Award” – Fort Raleigh NHS

Prior Employment

• City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department (Nature Camp Director & Nature Instructor)
• NC Wildlife Resources Commission (Wildlife Education Specialist)
• National Park Service
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Lead Interpretive Park Ranger)
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Interpretive Park Ranger)
  • Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Park Guide)