Project Overview
SciGirls in the Parks is a National Science Foundation-funded three-year project that includes five new SciGirls episodes, two citizen science (CitSci) themed online games, and national educational programs led by 13 girl-serving organizations in partnership with local National Parks. Research by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is focusing on STEM identity and connection to nature. Evaluation by Education Development Center (EDC) is focused on professional development trainings, family events, and impact of media.
•The project’s goal is to create citizen science experiences for 5th-8th grade girls that will broaden their STEM participation, build positive STEM identity, and increase their understanding of scientific concepts, while exploring citizen science projects occurring at geographically diverse national parks.
•This project was based on previous SciGirls research which showed that youth were more engaged in Citizen Science projects if they were first exposed to games and videos that introduced CitSci topics.
•Professional Development sessions focused on:
•effective strategies for serving as a role model for park rangers [SciGirls Role Model Guide]
•using media in informal education settings
Tips for Using Media in Informal Education
Before Watching Videos With Youth
•Watch the Video ahead of time!
•Think about key points and how they connect to your youth, location, and program.
•Define it! Tell the learners what the video is and what to look for.
•Activate Prior Knowledge
•Help your youth make connections to the content by having conversations and asking questions.
•Make it Meaningful!
•Tell them why they are watching the video.
•Get Specific
•Tell them particular things to watch for in the video.
•
While Watching the Video
•Press Pause
•Make Predictions
•Build Investment
•Was our prediction correct?
After Watching the Video
•Reflect! Encourage reflections and spark discussions!
•Watch, Think, Share
•Think, Pair, Share
•Start with open, general questions
Games
Updates were made to 2 of the SciGirls online games:
Creature Features is an online game where players focus on observing animals, plants, and fungus in rural and urban settings!
Rule the Roost is an online game where players complete monthly CitSci – based challenges and questies to help win points for their team!
pbskids.org/scigirls/games
Videos
Two additional videos were created to use in youth-serving programs to increase youth awareness of citizen science. They are intended to be viewed WITH youth during informal education programs.
•4 ¼ minutes long
•Park Ranger and citizen science coordinator from Congaree National Park, SC
•Claudia talks about how she uses citizen science in her work at the park, and shares about her life outside of work.
Episodes of SciGirls
The 7th season of SciGirls aired on PBS Kids in May 2023 with 5 new episodes featuring real girls doing citizen science in parks!
Flashy Fireflies
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Reagan, Kyra, and Jayden visit Congaree NP and learn about its unique fireflies that flash in sync! Participating as citizen scientist, they observe and collect data so the park can better understand– and protect – the fireflies.
Dragonfly Detectives
Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
On the shores of Lake Michigan, Logan, Luci, and Saloni visit Indiana Dunes NP and investigate how dragonflies help the park scientists monitor its water quality by participating in the Dragonfly Mercury Project.
Salamander Tales
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
SciGirls in Tennessee explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park—the salamander capital of the world. Isabelle, Kaylee and Ada observe salamanders and collect data to help rangers study the health of the park’s ecosystem.
Awesome Alaska
Seward, Alaska
SciGirls on the Alaska coast take pride in their community and the many wildlife species that call it home. Gracie, Indigo and Evie explore their local parks and identify and record animal and plant species, sharing the results with the global citizen science community using iNaturalist.
River Rescuers
Fort Snelling State Park, Minnesota
Jenny, Hope, Dani, and Amelia face down pollution on the Mississippi River, and collect data to track plastic pollution in the watershed using Debris Tracker. The girls host a river clean up event and encourage other kids to become stewards of the river, and their local waterways.
episodes can be viewed/downloaded.shared on PBS Kids, PBS Learning Media, Youtube, SciGirlsconnect.org