Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Citizen Science
Citizen Science
After-school Lessons
Citizen Science in the Willamette Valley
WE WILL RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT… the local environment
and involvement opportunities to participate in citizen science.
STUDENTS WILL GAIN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT… citizen science
data collection processes and the biodiversity of species in the
garden.
WE WILL FOSTER AN ATTITUDE OF CARE… by interacting
hands-on with species in the garden and demonstrating the
importance of citizen science.
STUDENTS WILL DEVELOP SKILLS SUCH AS… acquiring
empathy and inspiring motivation through active participation.
STUDENTS WILL BE INSPIRED TO TAKE ACTION… to
participate in citizen science opportunities.
Citizen Science in the Willamette
Valley
Garden Species Data Collection
Cultivating Connections Spring Session
Milo Gazzola and Gracie Williams
University of Oregon Environmental Leadership Program 2018
This lesson introduces 1st-5th grade students to the basics of
citizen science by using garden journals, interactive games,
and questing as methods of facilitation. Students will partake in
a quest by searching for different animal species that live in
their school garden. They will record data from their findings
and contribute to an on-site citizen science flip chart. Students
will use garden journals, hand microscopes, and writing
utensils to detail the variety of insects and species that they find
in the garden and surrounding area. Through this lesson,
students will expand their knowledge and awareness of citizen
science, gaining skills in collecting and recording data.
Citizen science is defined as the collection and analysis of data
relating to the natural world by the general public. It can be
used to measure the abundance of a species, asses
biodiversity, and examine the overall habits and health of
different organisms. By having students collect data on different
species within the school gardens, they will be directly
participating and contributing to citizen science. Having
knowledge and experience with citizen science and data
collection will broaden students’ awareness of local animal
species and give students a sense of empathy and care for their
surrounding environment.
Citizen science is the collection and analysis of different
elements of the natural world, observed and gathered by
citizens, where after collection, the data is then contributed to
a regional or national database. There are many nation-wide
citizen science programs, such as, “The Journey North”, which
tracks the migration of the monarch butterfly on their 2500
mile journey, from Canada to Mexico. “Bird Census” is a
national program that aims to track and identify birds in order
to better assess the health of bird populations. “EarthEcho
Water Challenge” is an international program that provides
kits to test the quality of local water, with the results being
shared with other communities. These citizen science
programs provide opportunities for engaged public
participation and awareness in local environmental issues. For
our project we will not be contributing our findings to a citizen
science database, but will be adding it to a flip chart. On the
flip chart will be a space to add the specific species found, the
number of each species found, as well as a space to add
details and drawings on each of the animal species.
Name:_________________
Species: Drawing Space:
Mammals:
Birds:
Insects: