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Project Descriptions

Have you spotted me: Learning lessons by looking for ladybugs

May 1, 2008 - April 30, 2012 | Public Programs
"Have You Spotted Me? Learning Lessons by Looking for Ladybugs" is an innovative citizen science project that targets children from Native American, rural, farming, and disadvantaged communities. While most citizen science efforts target teens and adults, this project enables youth ages 5-11 to contribute to the development of a major ladybug database. Adult mentors in youth programs introduce children to topics such as ladybugs, invasive species, biodiversity, and conservation. Youth not affiliated with a program may participate independently. Project deliverables include a self-contained education program, an Internet portal and project website, a dedicated corps of volunteers, and the largest, accessible biological database ever developed. The database is made more reliable by utilizing records accompanied by an identifiable data image as a certified data point. Partners include the NY State 4-H, South Dakota State 4-H, Migrant Worker Children's Education Program, Cayuga Nature Center, Seneca Nation Department of Education Summer Programs, Seneca Nation Early Childhood Learner Centers After School Program, and the Onondaga Nation After School Program. Strategic impact will be realized through the creation of a citizen science project that provides hands-on interactions, field experiences, and accessible data that creates unique learning opportunities for youth. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 youth will be impacted by this work.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 0741738
Funding Amount: 1930546

TEAM MEMBERS

  • John Losey
    Principal Investigator
    Cornell University
  • REVISE logo
    Co-Principal Investigator
    Cornell University
  • Louis Hesler
    Co-Principal Investigator
    USDA
  • Michael Catangui
    Co-Principal Investigator
    South Dakota 4-H
  • John Pickering
    Co-Principal Investigator
    University of Georgia
  • Discipline: Ecology, forestry, and agriculture | Life science | Nature of science
    Audience: Pre-K Children (0-5) | Elementary School Children (6-10) | Middle School Children (11-13) | Adults | Museum/ISE Professionals | Scientists
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Citizen Science Programs
    Access and Inclusion: Low Socioeconomic Status | Rural

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