Citizen Scientist Teaching Fellows
Citizen Scientist Teaching Fellows
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The Citizen Scientist Teaching Fellows program is designed to identify and support practicing K-12 or higher education faculty who would like to use existing or create new citizen science projects to use in their curriculum.
All Fellows will receive up to a $2500 stipend to develop their own or contribute to an existing citizen science project. Fellows are also paired with a mentor from the science community. During the Fellowship, Fellows will work with their mentor to create, implement, and/or assess a citizen science unit plan. The Fellowship will culminate with a public teaching event in which Fellows teach a component of the citizen science lesson they develop while education and community stakeholders observe.
We are now accepting applications for our 2021 Citizen Scientist Project Teaching Fellows program. Please submit your application by May 1, 2021.
2020 Citizen Scientist Teaching Fellow
2020 Citizen Scientist Teaching Fellow
Amy Downs
Amy Downs
Grade Level: Middle School
Courses: Science, ELA, and Video Production
District: Visalia Unified School District
Focal Issue for the Project: Globalization has impacted the world’s citrus production because of a tiny insect no bigger than a sesame seed. This invasive species is called the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). It feeds on the leaves and stems of citrus trees and can carry a bacterium called Huanglongbing disease (HLB). Once a tree is infected it will produce bitter mis-shappen fruit and die within 5 years. There is no known cure. Wherever you find ACP, you find the destruction of HLB in its wake.
Why I want to be a Citizen Scientist Teaching Fellow: I want to be a Citizen Science Teaching Fellow because it allows all of us to contribute to a scientific community. Science is a collective and collaborative effort. I know that we can get kids to think and problem solve problems in our community. This project is personal and special to me. I grew up on a farm in Kern County. My dad was a cotton farmer. I have known about invasive species and the impact it can have on our agriculture for as long as I can remember.
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