The Problem
My wish is threefold: 1) introduce my students to the concept of Citizen Science, engaging them in the outdoors in new ways that motivate them when they understand that their data will be used to address real-world issues of local and global concern; 2) build awareness of life around us, starting with birds, and to understand basic impacts of human life on animals, and vice versa; and 3) connect with students in a Siberian Yupik community to understand how they use Citizen Science to track birds in their region, what that tells them, and why that matters. In essence, I hope that students will become more aware of their immediate surroundings, and be inspired to observe more. I also hope they will become more aware of how our actions might impact those who live in very different circumstances and regions, with very different lifestyles. Perhaps with time and guidance, students will feel empowered by their new knowledge and understanding to take some action, even small steps, to help mitigate negative changes and promote positive ones. This project is a stepping stone to conducting more citizen science within our school, as it is something I've wanted to set up for quite some time. Using birds first is accessible to us, and makes sense given our resources, location, and time available.
