Citizen science involves everyday people in the process of scientific research and discovery. Using the facts and photos in this slideshow, explore this essential question:

1. Preview the slideshow. Ask questions to assess prior knowledge:

• What action words describe what scientists do? (observe, experiment, analyze, etc.)
• What is citizen science?
• What do citizen scientists do?
• How can citizen scientists contribute to research and discovery?
  

3. Preview slideshow using the headings handout. Have students predict how the headings may be related to the slideshow title and essential question: How can citizens scientists contribute to research and discovery?

As a class, read through the pages of the slideshow together. Stop occasionally to spotlight key words and ideas or ask questions. Encourage students to share their own questions sparked by the information and images.

1. Mark up the text. Review the definition of citizen science and revisit the essential question: How can citizens scientists contribute to research and discovery? Have students reread the text-only version of the slideshow with a partner, underlining important ideas and circling key words. Challenge them to use the word cards to summarize main ideas and details.

2. Prepare for outdoor observations by introducing students to field notebooks. Help them get ready to document and report monarch observations by reading the article, What to Report. Have students summarize the information by creating a "What and When to Report" reference chart on the inside cover of their field notebooks. Challenge them to think about how to design a chart that will help them remember what to watch for and also allow them to record when events were observed. Encourage their creativity by exploring possible chart formats. For example, a checklist with three columns: date, observation details, sketched image.

My "Practice Report"
Have students mock-up a well-written "practice report" based on what they have learned. Show them how to report a sighting to Journey North and find it on the live "Practice Report" map.

• Submit a Practice Report
• View live Practice Report Map