Citizen Science at the California Academy of Sciences
Using existing projects to fill programmatic needs
Alison YoungCitizen Science EducatorCalifornia Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences
Middle School Out-of-School-Time ProgramYouth Community Science Action Clubs
• First program to engage middle school youth
• Promoting science learning in out-of-school time environments through Science Action Clubs
• Build science skills in youth while maintaining a focus on community action
• Train-the-trainer system – giving OST coordinators modules to pick from
California Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences
» Year-round, multi-year science education and youth development program for San Francisco youth
» Aimed at groups under-represented in the sciences» Propel students to pursue a career in science through hands-on
experiences in the field and laboratory» Build critical skills and capacities for academic and career success
Careers in Science: intern program
Careers in Science: intern programMission:» Provide diverse youth with opportunities to immerse themselves in
the natural world» Explore potential science and education careers» Central in Academy ladder of support for nurturing science
engagement» Pivotal link that expands horizons and opens doors to professional
science careers
Conducting Authentic Scientific Research» Hands-on field study
projects locally and afar» Support research of
scientists and biologists
Program Mission
To provide authentic, hands-on
classroom and coastal field
monitoring experiences that
connect teachers, students, and
the community to the ocean.
LiMPETS:Long-term Monitoring Program and Experiential Training for Students
California Academy of Sciences
LiMPETSAcademy Careers in Science Interns are trained to collect intertidal data:» Distribution and abundance
of mole crabs on sandy beaches.
» 33 species of invertebrates and algae on rocky shores.
» Data are used by the sanctuary to establish a baseline to better address current and future impacts.
California Academy of Sciences
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20100
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Ocean Beach Summer Sand Crab AbundanceA
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California Academy of Sciences
Academy Careers in Science Interns have been participating since 2003:» More than 200 students
total.» Have presented their
findings at the American Geophysical Union conference.
LiMPETS
California Academy of Sciences
Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary PartnershipRocky Shore Partnership
Trains Academy docents and GFNMS volunteers as rocky shore naturalists:» Teach tidepool etiquette and natural history at Duxbury
Reef.» Contribute to on-going intertidal monitoring. » Work in the California Coast exhibit at the Academy.
California Academy of Sciences
Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary PartnershipRocky Shore Partnership
Originally only collected data on visitor use and rockweed abundance.
Adopted LiMPETS protocols: • To add more depth and scientific meaning to what the naturalists did at Duxbury.• To allow adult Rocky Shore volunteers to work with LiMPETS students in the field.
Citizen Science programs: websites
Celebrate Urban Birds:
www.celebrateurbanbirds.org
LiMPETS:
www.limpetsmonitoring.org
Rocky Shore Partnership:
www.calacademy.org/science/citizen_science/rocky_shore_partnership/