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Getting Started with Citizen Science A presentation deck for training educators on the Project MASH approach to Citizen Science, from The California Academy of Sciences. 90-minute version

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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 an on-going project. 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. Todays explorations

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Engaging Students in Citizen Science

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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.

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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.

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What does Citizen Science accomplish?

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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. Curiosity and agency drive scientific research. Science is work and play.

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Why do Citizen Science in the classroom?

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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.

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PROJECT TIME GOAL STEP S Birds in the Hood 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. Whats the question? Buddy up Go outside! Organize yourselves Collect data Upload data See & visualize data Communicate results

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PROJECTBirds in the Hood

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

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

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

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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

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

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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

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Reflection: Possibilities and Challenges

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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 www.projectmash.org for student activities and projects from the California Academy of Sciences and others that rely on these and other unique teaching strategies.