CCS Events and Trainings
Collabinar: Citizen Science for Biodiversity Education in South Africa
November 7th, 2018
The Center hosted another CCS Collabinar event on Wednesday, November 7th, from 9:00-11:00am— with Dr. Palesa Mothapo!
Dr. Palesa Mothapo is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Stellenbosch University, South Africa and a current Mandela Washington Fellow who researches the impacts of invasive species on natural and human environments. She presented her work, ”Tshotshi101, Ants in my Backyard: A case study of citizen science for biodiversity education in South Africa,” then we workshopped some of her questions about using citizen science to monitor invasive species distribution, abundance, and notable impacts.
Collabinar: Youth citizen science and appreciation for science and biodiversity in Brazil
October 24th, 2018
Our first CCS Collabinar was held on Wednesday, October 24, 9-10am. Caren Souza and Nayara Hachich presented their work on two new citizen science initiatives in Brazil, one in Conde and another in Mucugê, which will engage participants, including youth, in biodiversity science. The interdisciplinary team gave us an overview of the project, and then we worked together on a variety questions related to motivations, learning, and science and biodiversity.
3-Day Institute prepares educators for real science in the garden with students.
We are still glowing from our three days of shared learning, planning, and camaraderie with local partners, teachers, after-school educators, school garden coordinators. With thanks to our partner, Yolo Farm to Fork, who developed the article below, we offer some initial insights from this workshop, with more to come in the near future!
Reflecting on our Woolman Center workshop
Named after a mythical land from a novela when the Spanish first arrived, California was said to be paradise on Earth. However, times have changed since the Spanish first laid their eyes on the place we now call home. Social activists have spoken openly about the disasters of environmental change and many, from the top of California’s government to grassroots organizations are beginning to create much more systematic and widespread awareness and change with initiatives.
Sharing Community & Citizen Science with Local Educators
In February, we teamed up with Pepperwood Preserve and Sonoma County K-5th grade educators to run a workshop on how to facilitate community and citizen science in the classroom. Activities included observational sketching, a mini bioblitz, and sharing the YCCS Environmental Science Agency framework. Educators left eager and equip to try out new projects in creative ways with their students.
