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Week 12 · Citizen Scientist

Explorer Day

Explorer Day: Present the Report
// Your records help protect living things
⏱ about 15 min

Explorer Day: Present the Report

The workshop is set up like a tiny science meeting. Rocket has lined up every chair he could find.

Raven stands beside the Explorer Report with a pointer made from a twig.

Nova floats to the back of the room and dims. "This is your moment," she says. "I only listen today."

Rocket takes a breath. "Welcome, everyone. Twelve weeks ago, we started looking."

  1. A citizen scientist is an everyday person who makes careful, honest records.
  2. Shared records in open collections like GBIF build field guides and show patterns.
  3. Communities use evidence to notice, ask why, act and keep recording.
  4. A report shares what you studied, what you found and what you still wonder.
◇ EXPLORER DAY: PRESENT YOUR REPORT
Set up your report where everyone can see it. Gather your family or a friend.
Begin with part 1: your title, your name and the place you studied.
Walk through each part in order. Point to your graph when you reach your data.
When you reach "One way to help", ask your family to try it with you.
End with your question. Ask if anyone has an idea about it.
Take two questions from the audience. It is fine to answer "I am not sure yet".
After the talk, go outside together for ten minutes. Make one last record of the course.
Safety first
Stay with your grown-up when you go outside for the last record.
Look with your eyes. Never touch a wild animal, nest, egg, mushroom or unknown plant.
Some insects sting and some plants itch. Keep hands to yourself.
Wash your hands when you come back in.
For a grown-up
Let your child lead. Ask one real question at the end, even a simple one.
If your child says "I am not sure yet", praise it. That is honest science.
Talk about keeping the notebook going. A record a week is enough to see the seasons turn.
EXPLORER DAY CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Someone asks a question you cannot answer. What is the best reply?
What is the last part of the Explorer Report?
What do we call an everyday person who makes careful records that scientists can use?
WHY THIS EXERCISEYou have been a citizen scientist for twelve weeks.

You did it, explorer! Twelve weeks of looking, recording and sharing. Keep your notebook open. The yard keeps changing, and so will you.

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