Maine Classroom Citizen Science Projects

Provided by: Gulf of Maine Research Institute |Published on: June 16, 2024

Articles/Websites

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Synopsis

This collection of citizen science projects includes data collection projects Maine students can participate in to help with the status of various native species, invasive species, and sea level rise.
Most of the projects include detailed instructions, worksheets, and opportunities to submit your data.
Through data collection, analysis, and discussion, students will understand how climate change is increasing the populations of certain invasive species, harming species native to Maine, and causing coastal damage

Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences

Authors: Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Region: Maine

Languages: English

Positives

These projects provide students with an authentic purpose for practicing things like species identification and data collection.
Students will love getting outside and exploring the world around them like a scientist.

Prerequisites

Students should know how to use an identification guide to identify different plants and animals.
If teachers want to do these projects as a class they may need transportation to travel to the data collection sites.
Depending on the project, teachers will need to collect materials before having students do the project.
Before doing fieldwork, students should understand how to collect data without harming or disturbing the natural environment.
The link to the "Know Your Catch" guide is broken. Teachers can find the full guide here, with smelt on page 15.

Differentiation & Implementation

Math students can practice graphing by creating data visualizations from their class's findings.
Students in language arts classes can write informational texts to describe the process of their citizen science projects.
Older students can analyze the existing data and discuss how climate change is impacting the populations of native and invasive species.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.