Making meaning out of science: Using Nature’s Notebook to engage citizens in exciting and relevant research LoriAnne Barnett, Education Coordinator, USA-NPN

Phenology Just to be clear… phRenology – a pseudoscience focused on measurements of the human skull and size of the brain phOnology – a branch of linguistics concerned with the organization of sounds in language

A NATIONAL NETWORK OF INTEGRATED PHENOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ACROSS SPACE AND TIME. Primary goal Observe phenological events Understand how plants, animals & landscapes respond to climate change. Create a standardized dataset for use in multiple types of research. Mission Make phenology data, models and related information available to scientists, resource managers and the public. Encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to observe and record phenology. USA National Phenology Network Photo credit: C. Enquist

USA National Phenology Network 654 plant species and 243 animal species = ~900 total 2572 observers reporting (8094 total) making ~350,000 observations 1 1 As of

Meaningful Science Photo credit: P. Warren How do we teach science and climate literacy in a way people can understand, relate to self-select and continue to participate on their own… From a national perspective?

Meaningful Science Photo credit: P. Warren Photo credit: L. Barnett Photo credit: P. Warren Photo credit: L. Barnett Photo credit: I. Shiach Challenge:  Cohesive, themed program  Long-term participation and quality data  Limited staff and time

Meaningful Science Photo credit: P. Warren Photo credit: L. Barnett Photo credit: P. Warren Photo credit: L. Barnett Photo credit: I. Shiach  Response Master Gardener Case Study  Results  Future considerations

Response Ecology and Environmental Education Land Management Critical Thinking Skills Data Analysis

Response

Photo credit: L. Barnett Structure Meaningful Passion Personal curiosity Skills to teach: Observation Scientific process Record-keeping

Response

Response Cooperative Extension volunteer programs designed to educate the public about gardening and horticulture. 40 hour course (one time) 40 hour volunteer service (annual) 20 two – three hour lectures

Response Site-based Engagement

Response Phenology Landscape Design Integrated Pest Management Xeriscape Gardening Planting Schedules

Response ©Wikimedia Commons Growing-degree days (GDD) used to measure when to manage the moths Start accumulating once they are showing up in pheromone traps 175DD (base = 45) after first sustained catch is time for spraying Oriental fruit moth management

Master Gardener Case Study Observed once a week for 8 weeks 1.Intro to Phenology 2.Research 3.Examples of application 4.Intro to Nature’s Notebook 5.Collect Nature’s Notebook data YEAR 1

Master Gardener Case Study Observed once a week for 13 weeks Pre-assigned groups 1.Climate and life zones 2.Species and diversity 3.Phenology 4.Master Gardeners and Phenology 5.Future applications YEAR 2

Results Post Class Survey Results:

Results Post Class Survey Results: “…makes you more aware,” “Very informative… motivate(s) me to record more than…when I hear the first cicada,” “Phenology touches everything…brings to light…connecting you already know…tests your new insights [that will] make it more meaningful.” “Surprised at how much more I paid attention to plants in my garden.

Pima Extension Office Data Comparison 1.Data for Creosote in 2012 vs Data for Ocotillo in 2013 Dark Grey = no data Light Grey=User entered “no” Color corresponds to phenophase

FUTURE: Interpretive walk, grounded in ecology Focus on scientific questions MGs design experience Support for year-round participation Results Conclusions: Most MGs appreciate the opportunity Most MGs are not inspired to carry on On site continuation rate of 20% achieved Photo credit: B. Powell

FUTURE: Interpretive walk, grounded in ecology Focus on scientific questions MGs design experience Support for year-round participation Future Consideration Conclusions: Most MGs appreciate the opportunity Most MGs are not inspired to carry on On site continuation rate of 20% achieved Photo credit: B. Powell

Future Consideration Science questions to answer: Is the monsoon season correlated with the dropping of ripe mesquite beans? When is the best time to harvest mesquite beans to get the most beans per effort? How far into the monsoon season is it safe to collect beans without aflatoxins?

Meaningful Science Photo credit: P. Warren Photo credit: L. Barnett Photo credit: P. Warren Photo credit: L. Barnett Photo credit: I. Shiach Challenge: Cohesive, themed program Long-term participation and quality data Limited staff and time

Meaningful Science Suggestions Know your audience Devise meaning Big-picture Learn interpretive skills 1 Communicate understandable science Take-aways 1 Tilden, F. (1957). Interpreting our heritage. Photo credit: P. Warren

Photo credit: L. Barnett QUESTIONS?

Thank you! LoriAnne Barnett You’re invited to connect with USA-NPN… Sign up for a phenology e-newsletter (quarterly) Join the Nature’s Notebook community and become an observer: Contribute to science while having fun! Discover new tools and resources for work or play LoriAnne