Citizen Science Research Teams

• Youth researchers: The primary focus of the public aspect of this project is the work of the youth citizen scientists. Teams of students will work with an adult leader—either a school teacher, 4-H leader, nature center staff, or other youth mentor—to design and carry out a research project that emerges from their own observations and interests. Each team will also have a scientist mentor to advise them in designing and carrying out the research, as well as analyzing the data and releasing or publicizing their research findings. Youth researchers will also be able to participate in a yearly conference where they can interact with other research teams and present their findings.


• Adult leaders: The adult leaders—school teachers, 4-H leaders, nature center staff, or other youth mentors—will work closely with groups of student researchers and scientist mentors, and will also serve as the point of communication between the individual teams and between their team and the program staff. Adult leaders will be the primary facilitators of youth participation in citizen science research teams, supporting youth in designing and carrying out their own research projects. Adult leaders will also participate in action research to help us identify strategies that successfully enable youth to engage in scientific research. We will provide adults training in citizen science and youth inquiry, a modest budget for supplies, and support throughout the process.
  
  Beginning in the second year, as the project expands beyond initial research teams, the adult leaders will benefit from a training model based upon an extensive analysis of the teams during the first year. Adult leaders who work directly with youth will gain knowledge about the process of science research as well as inquiry-based instruction, and specific knowledge about ecological systems. Additionally, they will gain confidence in their abilities as research mentors.