WINDHAM, N.Y. — Elementary students from Windham-Ashland-Jewett’s (WAJ) Science Club spent an afternoon learning all about citizen science. Citizen science is when everyday people participate in collecting data to share with trained scientists for aggregation. This past week 4-H Natural Resource Educator, Andrew Randazzo and Deb Valerio, WAJ teacher set out into the Siuslaw Model Forest to explain the concept of data aggregation.
Students didn’t just hear about what data aggregation was but they got to experience it as they practiced their skills in tree measurement. The first round of data collection was done with just one person collecting data, the second with the whole group (the citizen scientists) collecting data. These youth actively saw how much more they were able to learn about the forest by having citizen scientists helping them to collect data they could aggregate.
This activity represents the first of six sessions the WAJ Science Club will participate in where they will continue to explore the topic of citizen science. Each time the students come back to the model forest they will be out exploring a different citizen science project as they build their knowledge of natural resources.
The WAJ Science Club would not be possible without the generous financial support of The Windham Foundation. Their support has enabled Cornell Cooperative Extension’s (CCE) 4-H Youth Development Program to create hands-on natural resources and environmental awareness programs, offering these elementary age students an exciting opportunity to learn about the natural world through visits to CCE’s Siuslaw Model Forest.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. The programs provided by this organization are partially funded by monies received from the Counties of Columbia and Greene.
4-H is New York’s only youth development program directly connected to the technological advances and the latest research at Cornell University. 4-H participants learn leadership, citizenship and life skills through hands-on projects in three primary program areas: science and technology; healthy living; and citizenship. To find out more about 4-H and youth programs in Columbia and Greene Counties, contact us at 518-828-3346 or Columbiagreene@cornell.edu or visit our website, www.ccecolumbiagreene.org . You can also “Like” us on Facebook…Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties
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