Citizen Science. Dig Deeper with

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Nathan Patterson
5 years ago
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1 Dig Deeper with Citizen Science A presentation deck for training educators on the Project MASH approach to Citizen Science, from The California Academy of Sciences. Full day version

2 Today s explorations Understand Gain an understanding of what citizen science is. Get Started with Citizen Science Experience citizen science first-hand by learning about and collecting data for two on-going projects. Citizen Science in the Classroom Learn about other citizen science projects and think about how you could implement citizen science in your classroom. Reflect Think about benefits and challenges of citizen science in the classroom.

3 Engaging Students in Citizen Science

4 ACTIVITY TIME GOAL STEP S What Does a Scientist Look Like? 20 minutes To examine stereotypes about scientists, expand understanding of what scientists might look like and what they do, and to consider whether you could be a scientist. Think about a scientist, then draw one. Describe your scientist. Share and compare.

5 What is Citizen Science? Citizen science is a process by which everyday people take an active role in scientific discovery, joining forces with researchers to answer important science questions. Harnessing a collective curiosity and employing common technology, citizen scientists work with professional researchers to learn about our world more quickly and comprehensively than ever before. Anyone can participate in citizen science and projects can take many forms: counting backyard birds to assess climate change, searching satellite images for new galaxies, and playing video games to fight diseases are just a few ways that citizen scientists directly contribute to cutting edge research spearheaded by universities, museums, and other major institutions.

6 What does Citizen Science accomplish?

7 Why do Citizen Science in the classroom? There remain unanswered questions in science. Science serves society. Society needs science and a scientifically literate populace. Anyone can be a scientist. Scientists are global citizens. Science is work and play. Curiosity and agency drive scientific research.

8 Why do Citizen Science in the classroom?

9 What do you already do in your classroom to build skills?

objects, and to come up with questions based on your observations.

10 ACTIVITY TIME GOAL STEP S Observe Like a Scientist 30 minutes To look closely and carefully to observe differences between similar-looking objects, and to come up with questions based on your observations. Seeing vs. observing. Observe scientifically. Make your argument. Ask a question.

11 PROJECT Birds in the Hood TIME GOAL 60 minutes (8 unlimited weeks in the classroom) Join a community of citizen scientists working to understand how different environments influence the location of city birds. STEP S What s the question? Buddy up Go outside! Organize yourselves Collect data Upload data See & visualize data Communicate results

12 PROJECT Birds in the Hood

13 PROJECT Seasons of Change TIME GOAL STEP S 60 minutes (4 unlimited weeks in the classroom) To learn about and investigate seasonal changes in plants as part of a community of citizen scientists helping scientists understand how climate change is affecting the timing of phenological events. What s the question? Buddy up Go outside! Organize yourselves Collect data Upload data See & visualize data Communicate results

14 PROJECT Seasons of Change

15 PROJECT STEP S Birds in the Hood and Seasons of Change What s the question? Buddy up Go outside! Organize yourselves Collect data Upload data See & visualize data Communicate results

16 PROJECT STEPS Birds in the Hood and Seasons of Change What s the question? Buddy up Go outside! Organize yourselves Collect data Upload data See & visualize data Communicate results

17 PROJECT Birds in the Hood and Seasons of Change STEP S What s the question? Buddy up Go outside! Organize yourselves Collect data Upload data See & visualize data Communicate results

18 Visualize Data and Communicate Results Examine the data available to you Ask a question How could you answer your question? Communicate your experience and results

19 PROJECT STEPS Birds in the Hood and Seasons of Change What s the question? Buddy up Go outside! Organize yourselves Collect data Upload data See & visualize data Communicate results

20 How to integrate citizen science into your classroom Logistics Planning tools available How to find a project Intro to Project MASH Citizen science Projects on Project MASH Other citizen science projects Research and make a plan

21 Logistics Curriculum Constraints COPPA Tools & Resources

22 Reflection Possibilities and challenges Write a letter Make a commitment

Citizen Science is an approach to teaching and learning that is at the heart of Project MASH, a social network for educators, students, and the organizations that serve

23 Citizen Science is an approach to teaching and learning that is at the heart of Project MASH, a social network for educators, students, and the organizations that serve them. Visit for student activities and projects from the California Academy of Sciences and others that rely on these and other unique teaching strategies.

Citizen Science. Dig Deeper with

Citizen Science. Dig Deeper with Dig Deeper with Citizen Science A presentation deck for training educators on the Project MASH approach to Citizen Science, from The California Academy of Sciences. Half day version Today s explorations