scholarly journals Evaluating Strategies To Collect Micrometeorites From Rainwater For Citizen Scientists

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mel Blake ◽  
James McKee ◽  
Richard Statom ◽  
Chiong Qiu ◽  
Francis Menapace
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Stem Careers ◽  
School Students ◽  
Science Project ◽  
Science Projects ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Collecting Methods ◽  
Citizen Science Project ◽  
Do So

Micrometeorites originate from small pieces of rock from space colliding with the Earth’s atmosphere at high velocity, such as the Perseid meteors which hit the atmosphere at 60 km/s. When they do so, they burn up, causing a flash of light that we see as a meteor.  Many groups have been successful collecting these particles using various devices.  Such activities make great science projects for middle and high school students, and we plan to start a program to train students in the collecting methods and get them interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.  Various methods are used to collect micrometeorites from rainwater, but little work has been done to assess the most efficient method of collecting these particles from space and then analyzing them.  Before we began our citizen science project, we determined that it was necessary to conduct a pilot project to determine the most effective method of collecting micrometeorites from rainwater.  Four collecting methods were tried and the method that collected the most micrometeorites was also the simplest, that being a simple bucket under the downspout of the gutter system of a house and a magnet which is then run through the bucket to gather the meteorites.

The Ins & Outs of Developing a Field-Based Science Project

2014 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 320-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine E. Matthews ◽  
Lacey D. Huffling ◽  
Aerin Benavides
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Students ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Science Project ◽  
Science Projects

We describe a field-based lizard project we did with high school students as a part of our summer Herpetological Research Experiences. We describe data collection on lizards captured, identified, and marked as a part of our mark–recapture study. We also describe other lizard projects that are ongoing in the United States and provide resources for teachers to help them start their own field-based science projects. Our work with lizards focuses on fieldwork but also includes classroom components with captive-bred and wild-captured animals. Information on organizations that focus on lizards is provided, including several citizen science opportunities.

scholarly journals Citizens, Scientists, and Enablers: A Tripartite Model for Citizen Science Projects

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 309
Author(s):  
Rhian A. Salmon ◽  
Samuel Rammell ◽  
Myfanwy T. Emeny ◽  
Stephen Hartley
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Nature Of Science ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Public Engagement ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Tripartite Model ◽  
Science Project ◽  
Science Projects ◽  
Emerging Issues ◽  
Citizen Science Project

In this paper, we focus on different roles in citizen science projects, and their respective relationships. We propose a tripartite model that recognises not only citizens and scientists, but also an important third role, which we call the ‘enabler’. In doing so, we acknowledge that additional expertise and skillsets are often present in citizen science projects, but are frequently overlooked in associated literature. We interrogate this model by applying it to three case studies and explore how the success and sustainability of a citizen science project requires all roles to be acknowledged and interacting appropriately. In this era of ‘wicked problems’, the nature of science and science communication has become more complex. In order to address critical emerging issues, a greater number of stakeholders are engaging in multi-party partnerships and research is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary. Within this context, explicitly acknowledging the role and motivations of everyone involved can provide a framework for enhanced project transparency, delivery, evaluation and impact. By adapting our understanding of citizen science to better recognise the complexity of the organisational systems within which they operate, we propose an opportunity to strengthen the collaborative delivery of both valuable scientific research and public engagement.

scholarly journals STEM-aspiraties en studiekeuze in het secundair onderwijs in Vlaanderen: de intersectie van gender en etniciteit

2021 ◽  
pp. 117-140
Author(s):  
Lore Van Praag ◽  
Roslyn Arlin Mickelson ◽  
Peter A.J. Stevens ◽  
Mieke Van Houtte
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Stem Careers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
School Students ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Engineering Mathematics ◽  
Lower Status ◽  
Stem Career

This article explores why some Flemish secondary school students’ study choices are content-wise not in line with their career aspirations and, to some extent, follow gender and ethnic patterns. We use 83 semi-structured interviews, conducted with students in academic and technical tracks in three Flemish secondary schools. Compared to female pupils, male pupils are more likely to enrol in lower status tracks whose curricular substance prepares them for a STEM career (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Ethnic majority female pupils seem to adjust their study choices better to their aspirations, or the other way round. However, especially when changing track or field of study, ethnic majority female pupils are more likely to adapt their aspirations consistent with gender norms. While ethnic minority female pupils are more likely than ethnic majority female pupils to have STEM aspirations, their goals do not always seem to correspond with the study choices they have made. Additionally, perceived discrimination and family aspirations further impact both study choices and aspirations of ethnic minority pupils. Gendered study recommendations and choices, favouring male pupils in STEM careers, especially make that female pupils make study choices that are in terms of curriculum not always in line with their aspirations.

Using Technology to Create Children's Books for Students by Students

2011 ◽  
pp. 425-436
Author(s):  
Lyn C. Howell
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Reading Skills ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Letter Writing ◽  
Children's Books ◽  
Older Students ◽  
School Students ◽  
Children's Book ◽  
Do So

This chapter describes a children’s book project in which high school students used technology to create e-books for younger students. The benefits of the project for both younger and older students are discussed. Older students developed technology and writing skills; younger students developed letter writing and reading skills. The process is also detailed in the hope that others who might be interested in replicating the project in their own classroom would be able to do so.

The Living Dock: A Study of Benthic Recruitment to Oyster Substrates Affixed to a Dock in the Indian River Lagoon

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 7-18
Author(s):  
Robert J. Weaver ◽  
Kelli Hunsucker ◽  
Holly Sweat ◽  
Kody Lieberman ◽  
Abby Meyers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Indian River Lagoon ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Benthic Organisms ◽  
Science Project ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Indian River ◽  
Local Water ◽  
Citizen Science Project

AbstractBenthic filter feeding organisms have the potential to improve local water quality by filtering microalgae and particulate matter out of the water column. A pilot project was conducted to test the concept of creating a Living Dock by growing these filter feeders at a dock in the Indian River Lagoon. Two different methods (mats and bags) were tested for their ability to recruit benthic organisms, as well as the efficacy of these methods for use as a long-term citizen science project. Eighteen oyster mats were wrapped around dock pilings, and 18 oyster bags were suspended between pilings of the same dock. After 1 year of immersion, healthy populations of barnacles, sponges, algae, bryozoans, mussels, and tunicates were found growing on both the bags and the mats. During that same time period, live oysters were also found growing on both mats and bags, with a maximum of 73 live oysters in one bag. Although the total percent cover of organisms settling on the shells did not differ between the mats or the bags, there was significantly greater organismal diversity in the bag treatment compared to the mat treatment. Bags were a more effective recruiter of benthic organisms, but longevity was an issue, with bags becoming heavily fouled and often breaking loose from the dock over time. It was noted that the mats with the higher shell densities saw greater recruitment and had greater diversity. Although the bags proved to be a better alternative than mats for the recruitment and growth of benthic organisms, they are not sustainable for use as a citizen science project. Future efforts should consider constructing mats with high-density shell counts, as the mats have more durability and are better suited for citizen scientists.

scholarly journals Measuring School Climate among Japanese Students—Development of the Japan School Climate Inventory (JaSC)

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 4426
Author(s):  
Tomoko Nishimura ◽  
Manabu Wakuta ◽  
Kenji J. Tsuchiya ◽  
Yuko Osuka ◽  
Hideo Tamai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
School Climate ◽  
Junior High School ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
School Students ◽  
Behavioral Traits ◽  
Japanese Students ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Do So

School climate is a significant determinant of students’ behavioral problems and academic achievement. In this study, we developed the Japan School Climate Inventory (JaSC) to see whether it measures school climate properly. To do so, we investigated whether or not the measurement with JaSC varies across sub-groups of varying grade and of gender and examined the relationship between the perception of school climate and the psychological and behavioral traits at individual levels in a sample of Japanese elementary and junior high school students (n = 1399; grade 4–9). The results showed that the measurement was consistent, since single-factor structures, factor loadings and thresholds of the items were found not to vary across sub-groups of the participants. The participants’ perception of school climate was associated positively with quality of life, especially in school (β = 0.152, p < 0.001) and associated negatively with involvement in ijime (bullying) as “victim” and “bully/victim” (β = −0.098, p = 0.001; β = −0.188, p = 0.001, respectively) and peer relationship problems (β = −0.107, p = 0.025). JaSC was found to measure school climate consistently among varying populations of Japanese students, with satisfactory validity.

scholarly journals Influencia familiar en la elección de carreras STEM (Ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas) en estudiantes de bachillerato

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 515-531
Author(s):  
Karla Cristina Avendaño Rodríguez ◽  
Deneb Eli Magaña Medina ◽  
Pedro Flores Crespo
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Early Age ◽  
School Students ◽  
Interest In Science ◽  
Probabilistic Sampling ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Older Brothers ◽  
The Family ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Capital Humano

La sociedad experimenta cambios científicos y tecnológicos que están obligando a las economías a centrar su atención en la formación de capital humano con un perfil en ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas (STEM por sus siglas en inglés). Elegir una carrera es una decisión de tipo individual y familiar, este artículo tiene como objetivo conocer la influencia de la familia (madre o tutora, padre o tutor y hermanos) en la elección de carreras STEM en estudiantes de segundo y sexto semestre de bachillerato. Se entrevistó a 1 mil 759 estudiantes de seis bachilleratos distintos, a través de un muestreo no probabilístico, por cuotas. Los resultados muestran que la madre o tutora es la figura que más influye en la elección de una carrera STEM en comparación con el padre o tutor. Se pensó que los hermanos podrían tener un efecto mayor en los estudiantes, no obstante, los resultados muestran que no es significativo que tengan o no hermanos y que estos puedan influir en la elección de carrera. Sin embargo, es necesario profundizar más en el estudio de los hermanos mayores que egresan de carreras STEM y el efecto que esto tiene en la elección de los hermanos menores, aspecto que no se abordó en la investigación. El estudio no profundizo en variables como: el tipo de carrera y el rol laboral que desempeñan los padres y si está o no relacionado con las áreas STEM. Se concluye que las familias deben realizar actividades no formales que ayuden a despertar el interés en la ciencia y aumentar su capital cultural desde edades tempranas. Society experiences scientific and technological changes that are forcing economies to focus their attention on the development of human capital with a profile in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This article aims to demonstrate the influence of the family (mother or guardian father or guardian and siblings) on the choice of STEM careers in high school students during their second and sixth semester, since choosing a career is an individual and family decision. A total of 1,759 students from six different high schools were interviewed, through a non-probabilistic sampling, by quotas. The results show that the mother or guardian is the figure that most influences the choice of a STEM career compared to the father or guardian. It was thought that siblings could have a greater effect on students, however, the results show that it is not significant that they have siblings or that siblings can influence their choice. However, it is necessary to go deeper into the study of older brothers who graduate from STEM degrees and the effect this has on the younger brother’s election, an aspect that was not addressed in the investigation. The study did not delve into variables such as the type of career and the labor role played by parents and whether or not it is related to STEM areas. In conclusion, families must carry out non-formal activities that help awaken interest in science and increase their cultural capital from an early age.

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