Citizen Science

     I'm very appreciate that I took AED150 course instructed by Ms. Parce during Fall 2016 semester. The course gave me a great opportunity to study as a group, observe plants outside the classroom, enter data into Nature's Notebook, teach other students what our group has learned in the class, exchange our opinions about plants and teaching-learning styles after class, etc. I learned a lot via taking this course.

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     Thanks to AED150 class, I can be more close to the nature and get a chance to know as well as participate in Nature's Notebook Citizen Science Service-Learning Project. I enjoy observing plants and collecting information about those plants. During Fall 2016 semester, our team observed Saguaro and Candy Barrel Cactus. In fact, I've not seen such huge cactus like Saguaro and cactus with fruit like Candy Barrel Cactus. So, I was curious about that. It's interesting that the fruit of Candy Barrel Cactus looks like small pineapple. I was excited to observe Saguaro and Candy Barrel Cactus on a weekly basis, then entered what I observed, such as their fruit and flowers status, into Nature's Notebook. I'm proud that the data we collected could help scientists to study the phenology of plants and climate change. This exploration is also what I think the most meaningful part.

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     Furthermore, the most impactful element to my learning is that I learned how to behave and communicate as a group. I used to study alone in China. This is the first semester I came to the United States. I found that learning can be many ways: we can acquire knowledge not only in the classroom, but also in the garden; we can learn not only on our own, but also as a team; we can improve not only as students, but also as teachers...... As the team, my teammates and me shot a commercial for Nature's Notebook, discussed topics and structures for our Team Teaching Lessons, make powerpoints together...... I experienced something I've never done before like shooting a commercial on our own. It's funny and rewarding to make it. Although sometimes we had divergent ideas about our tasks and few challenges to understand each other because of intercultural communication, we eventually made a balance and solved the problems. Understanding how to communicate with team members and how to show my respect to people with different culture reflects my growth.

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     In the future, I'd love to observe other plants, to know more phonology about them, and to enter data into Nature's Notebook. Besides, I'm willing to be a volunteer and keep collecting information for scientists. Hopefully, there are more individuals who want to participate in Nature's Notebook Citizen Science Service-Learning Project.