Tracking Climate in Your Backyard

 

What is Tracking Climate in Your Backyard?

 

The Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) is working with the CCE 4-H Youth Development program to recruit volunteers who work with upper elementary and secondary school youth on a citizen science project to monitor precipitation. Tracking Climate in Your Backyard provides materials and training to connect with the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network (CoCoRAHS). Data collected by participants will be displayed on the CoCoRaHS website and available for users to analyze and apply to daily situations – ranging from water resource analysis and severe storm warnings to neighbors comparing how much rain fell in their backyards.

            A special curriculum, geared toward 8-12 year old youth in informal environments, has been developed to accompany the citizen science project and incorporate tracking climate through monitoring weather. The curriculum and citizen science project together make up the Tracking Climate in Your Backyard project, and the Paleontological Research Institution and NYS 4-H provide outreach and training materials.

 

How can I participate in Tracking Climate in Your Backyard?

 

            It's easy to become involved in Tracking Climate in Your Backyard. Trainings are primarily applicable for NYS residents, as the pilot portion of the project is limited in scope. However, ANYONE is welcome to use the materials and offer feedback on the project.

 

  • Connect with your local CCE 4-H office and ask if a local training will be held in your area, or if your 4-H educator attended a past training.

                            then.....

  • Download the material on this website, read through it, and try it out in your classroom, afterschool program, 4-H group, or science club.

                            finally.....

  • Provide feedback on your experiences using our evaluation forms, and have youth involved offer feedback, too!

 The project Tracking Climate in Your Backyard is funded by the Geoscience Education program of the National Science Foundation (NSF GEO 0808122).

 

 

 

Please direct any questions about the project to Trisha Smrecak, Global Change and Evolution Projects manager, 607-273-6623, ex.32, or smrecak@museumoftheearth.org