This is a USDA supported project that aims to better understand the spread of invasive plants in forested parklands that have high conservation value and high levels of public use. There is very little information about this in our region, which makes it difficult for park managers to determine the magnitude of the problem or how to manage it. Citizen volunteers help us to gather data on infestation during hikes on trails in areas of concern.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Rutgers UniversityNew York-New Jersey Trail Conference
This poster was presented at the April 2011 workshop, Engaging and Learning for Conservation. It describes the 10-year strategy UK National Museum of Natural History for engaging visitors in citizen science.
This poster was presented at the April 2011 workshop, Engaging and Learning for Conservation. It describes a citizen science project at the Seattle Aquarium and outlines the essential elements of a successful citizen science program.
This poster was presented at the April 2011 workshop, Engaging and Learning for Conservation. It describes the eBirding citizen science program, including its methods, findings and conclusions.
This poster was presented at the April 2011 workshop, Engaging and Learning for Conservation. It describes the citizen science project and website, CitSci.org.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
USGS National Institute of Invasive Species ScienceNatural Resource Ecology LaboratoryGreg Newman
The Golden Gate National Parks stewardship programs seek to engage the community in the protection and restoration of local nature on public lands in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to native plant revegetation and invasive plant removal, the public is invited to join park staff in monitoring rare plant species. The Golden Gate National Parks provide habitat for over 40 rare plant species, including 9 plants that are federally listed as endangered or threatened. Volunteers participate in the gathering of field data through census and sampling methods. These data are used by the park to evaluate the status of rare plant populations and determine management actions.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
National Park ServicePresidio TrustGolden Gate National Parks ConservancyMichael Chasse
In this article, Eugene Dillenburg, Assistant Professor of Museum Studies and Scholar at Michigan State University, seeks a universal definition for a museum, noting that the term nowadays describes institutions representing a broad range of sizes and disciplines. Dillenburg provides examples from museum literature and deconstructs these definitions to conclude that exhibits are the defining feature of the museum. He goes on to define exhibits and remarks that exhibits are museums' "one irreplaceable feature."
This article describes how science centers and museums can better engage ethnic-specific communities that, overall, historically do not visit these institutions. Cecilia Garibay, principal of the Garibay Group, summarizes her research in this area, specifically focusing on Latino families in the United States and shares several key values that influence Latino parents' leisure choices. Examples of how leading institutions have used these findings are included and highlight ways museums can use research to better engage diverse communities.
This article describes how some museums are expanding their partnerships with schools and encouraging teachers to view museums as more than field trip destinations. This article describes the benefits of museum schools, citing the advantages of the symbiotic relationship between the museums and schools, the value of inquiry-based learning, and the professional development opportunities for teachers.
This report details the results of the initial CoSTEM inventory of Federal STEM education investments. The report includes detailed information on STEM education investments in order to identify duplication, overlap, and fragmentation in the Federal STEM education portfolio, illustrate distinct characteristics of investments, identify areas of potential synergy across and within agencies, support the sharing of effective STEM education strategies and evaluation techniques, increase awareness of education investments within and across Federal agencies, and support the development of a Federal
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TEAM MEMBERS:
The Office of Science and Technology PolicyFast-Track Action Committee
The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) (Public Law 103-62) requires Federal agencies to develop strategic plans setting forth missions, long-term goals, and means to achieving those goals, and ensure the effectiveness of agency programs through the integration of planning, budgeting, and performance measurement. “Empowering the Nation Through Discovery and Innovation: NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2011-2016” updates and replaces “Investing in America’s Future: NSF Strategic Plan FY 2006-2011.” To develop this new plan, NSF formed a working group consisting of office and
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TEAM MEMBERS:
National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation
In the Community Science Learning through Youth Astronomy Apprenticeships (YAA) project, underrepresented urban high school youths, working with recent college grads, conducted astronomy investigations, then translated their personal learning and enthusiasm into outreach programs for younger children, families and community members in an astronomy and space science program. Science education centers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Boston community-based after school centers and the Institute for Learning Innovation collaborated.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Irene PorroMary DussaultSusan O'ConnorJohn Belcher