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Students Become ‘Citizen Scientists’ to Conduct Research on Bugs

By Education Week Photo Staff — July 09, 2019 1 min read
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Citizen science is a method of involving students and community members in scientific research and exploration using the same parameters as professional scientists.
During the Huron River Watershed Council’s annual “Insect Identification Day” in Ann Arbor, Mich., students and volunteers identified insects to add to the group’s ecological survey. Such projects are part of a new wave of science learning that happens outside of classrooms and more directly links students to real research.
“A long time ago, it was just regular people who were scientists. We should be giving the community a lot of opportunities to integrate in our field,” says Jason Frenzel, who oversees citizen science projects for the Huron River Watershed Council.

Niklas Krantz, a coordinator with the Huron River Watershed Council, laughs with students during the council’s annual “Insect Identification Day” in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Niklas Krantz studies a bug under a microscope.
A water sample from Huron Creek.
Ann Arbor, Mich., resident Brian Carlson, 56, and his daughter Sophie, 16, inspect bugs in their water sample. They have been participating in the event together for the past four years. “It allows you to connect,” said Brian Carlson.
Tavan Zadeh and Zane Aridi, both seniors at Dexter High School, in Dexter, Mich., joke around as they take part in an annual census of insects.
A sample of bugs.
Jenna Kauffman and Jillian Chesney, seniors at Dexter High School, in Dexter, Mich., flip through a bug identification chart.

A version of this article first appeared in the Full Frame blog.

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