Public Science
I am dedicated to involving everyone in doing science. Whatever the name -- citizen science, volunteer monitoring, public participation in scientific research, and community science -- our lab wants the public to be involved in all stages of the scientific process: from creating projects, through collecting data, to implementing policy based on new information that they have discovered.
Projects
Minnesota Master Naturalist
The Minnesota Master Naturalist Program promotes awareness, understanding and stewardship of Minnesota’s natural environment by developing a corps of well-informed citizens dedicated to conservation education and service within their communities.Driven to Discover
Driven to Discover: Enabling authentic inquiry through citizen science uses citizen science as a way to engage kids in the full process of scientific research. We provide tools and resources for youth group leaders and teachers to plan and carry out citizen science-based research with youth.Ecology Science Fair
The Ecology Science Fair centers on student-driven investigations in ecology, encouraging students to engage in all steps of the research process, including the important final step of data presentation.Outdoor Investigations in the Stem Classroom
OISC is a collaboration with the University of Minnesota Raptor Center to assist teachers in using raptors and independent scientific investigation in the classroom.Migratory and Urban Bird Institute
MUBI is an interactive three-day workshop to study urban and migratory birds. It is open to both formal and informal science educators.Pollinators in the STEM Classroom
Pollinator Education in the Science Classroom will provide professional development for 80 science teachers to use pollinator education curriculum and outreach materials, ultimately reaching >9600 students annually. It is a new collaboration with the University of Minnesota's Bee Lab.
People
Lisa Curtis taught middle school life and earth science for 20 years, and loved taking her students outside to investigate nature! Organizing ecology programs for teachers and their students to instill a love and appreciation for the environment is Lisa's current focus. She has been the coordinator the UMN programs Driven to Discover: Citizen Science, North American Monarch Institute, Advanced Schoolyard Ecology Explorations, Pollinator Ambassadors, Migratory & Urban Bird Institute, Outdoor Investigations in the STEM Classroom, and Pollinators in the Science Classroom.
Jen Schultz has worked with middle school and high school students in both the formal and informal settings as a classroom teacher and as an outreach coordinator for Minnesota Zoo afterschool programming. She also engaged citizen scientist volunteers in emerald ash borer detection with the Wasp Watchers program through the University of Minnesota’s Entomology department. Currently, she works as the program instructor for Outdoor Investigations in the STEM Classroom and Raptor Lab.
Elaine Evans
Andrea Straus
Publications
Minnesota Master Naturalist
The Minnesota Master Naturalist program has three hefty curricula text books covering the three major biomes of the state as well as a series of field guides. However, you have to be a Master Naturalist to receive them. Join now!Driven To Discover
Driven to Discover provides the training, curriculum and resources to help you engage middle school-age youth in citizen science projects and independent science investigations.This program has two variations. One series is designed for after school and summer youth programs while the other series is designed for middle and high school classroom settings. Each edition in each series is built around nationally-known citizen science programs, and the curriculum can easily be adapted for use with other citizen science projects.
Regardless of the topic or targeted setting, all Driven to Discover curricula use citizen science experiences to drive independent youth investigations. Adapt any of these to your specific situation or setting.
Download all of the curricula here.
Schoolyard Ecology Explorations
The lessons in this science inquiry-based curriculum are designed to increase the student’s connection to nature through observation and experimentation. Many of the lessons can be implemented on any school grounds, including urban schoolyards where access to nature may be limited. Furthermore, many lessons can be adapted to suit grades K-12 because of their experimental nature.You can purchase the curriculum here.
Best practices for environmental field days: Structuring your event for fun and learning.
Blair, R. B., N. Meyer, A.B. Rager, K. Ostlie, K. Montgomery, and S. Carlson. 2004. Journal of Extension 42(5).Assessing the need for Master Naturalist programs.
Savanick, M.A. and R.B. Blair. 2005. Journal of Extension. 43(3): Article 3FEA7 hRecommendations for the Creation of a Center for Citizen Science.
Blair, R.B., L. Fortson, A. Anderson, and A.L. Strauss. 2018. Journal of Extension. 56(4).