Middle school Citizen Science focuses on the collaborative process of environmental research and civic engagement.
Program Summary - Students venture out of their classrooms to take part in hands-on, real-world inquiry and problem solving. They review the goals of ongoing national environmental research projects, see how these projects relate to local environmental needs, and choose a project for further investigation.
Youth-led process - Students test different tools and methods for collecting data in the field prior to choosing their project. They collect data, upload their findings, and share their results with other students during the end-of-year Citizen Science Symposium. This year, the Symposium will take place virtually, with local experts providing short videos for students to explore environmental topics including science career pathways.
Civic engagement - This program develops civic engagement by directly involving local youth with national scientific research projects. As they conduct local research and learn about local environmental issues, students are empowered to utilize their new found knowledge and skills with the resources and connections from this program to continue making a difference in their communities.
Our Citizen Science Projects
eBird
Participants upload information about the species of birds identified by sight or call to help ornithologists utilize their data in new approaches to scientific research and conservation.
6th grade students at McKinley Elementary School
6th grade students at Lincoln Elementary School
7th & 8th grade students at Block Middle School
Hoosier Riverwatch
Volunteers report data on the quality of local bodies of water to help the Indiana Department of Environmental Management ensure the safety of water within Indiana.
8th grade students at Discovery Charter School
Invasive Species Monitoring through EDDMapS
Participants collect data and report on presence of invasive species in order to help minimize impact and further dispersal.
8th grade students at Charter School of the Dunes
The Lost Ladybug Project
Volunteers upload photographic data on local ladybug species found in their community to help entomologists track the various species living across the United States and determine the threat level of endangerment for the native ladybug species.
7th grade students at Charter School of the Dunes
Mushroom Observer
Participants collect and report data on the fungi found locally to help grow a larger knowledge and database of the mysterious world of fungi.
6th grade students at McKinley Elementary School
7th & 8th grade students at Charter School of the Dunes
Project FeederWatch
Members report data to The Cornell Lab on winter birds at their bird feeders to help understand abundance, distribution, and migration patterns as climate change impacts typical bird migration patterns.
7th & 8th grade students at Block Middle School
Project Squirrel
Volunteers report data on the presence and activity of squirrel species to Miami University to help mammalogists determine the impact of urbanization on local squirrel populations.
6th grade students at Lincoln Elementary School
8th grade students at Charter School of the Dunes
Thank you to Foundations of East Chicago for funding Environmental-STEM programs in East Chicago schools!
The 2020 Citizen Science Symposium is sponsored by:
Thank you to ArcelorMittal for funding Environmental-STEM programs in local community schools!
