It will be easier to call the group back if n one has wandered past the big oak tree or crossed the creek. Communicate c
CITIZEN SCIENCE
Tips for Facilitating Groups Outdoors
TOOLKIT
Keeping a group focused outdoors can be difficult. A few strategic steps on the part of the teacher or group leader can help students focus on their research, be successful citizen scientists and have fun! Plan exactly where you will go at the outdoor site. Decide in advance (if possible) where each activity will take place, where the group will sit down, where shade and shelter from the wind can be found, etc. Make sure students are properly dressed for the weather. Discuss what you mean by properly dressed. Students who are cold or concerned about getting their brand new jeans dirty will have difficulty focusing. Monitor your participants’ needs. Are you getting sunburned? Thirsty? Losing focus? Respond to their needs with a change of pace for setting. Set clear physical boundaries. Use obvious physical markers when sending youth out to explore or collect data. It will be easier to call the group back if n one has wandered past the big oak tree or crossed the creek. Communicate clear expectations for behavior. A simple, overarching guideline (“Please show respect for people, nature and tools”) is easier to remember than a laundry list of rules. Ask youth to agree to the expectations. Exude an air of easy-going professionalism and focusing on the business at hand. Youth with follow suit. Reiterate the goals of and instructions for the task at hand frequently. It’s easy to become distracted from the assignment when nature presents so many wonderful distractions. Make sure everyone knows what he or she is supposed to be doing. Form circles when conducting discussions or giving directions. A large circle allows everyone to see and hear each other and no one is left out. Position yourself facing the sun so that students are not distracted by squinting into the light. Have a signal for calling the group together after the exploration or data collection. Make it an interesting word or creative sound so it is memorable. What could be more fun than yelling “CANTALOUPE!” across the meadow? Or hooting like an owl? Be sure youth know to gather when they hear the signal. Identify the closest restrooms and make a plan for regular restroom visitation. Celebrate the wonder of nature. Treat your time in nature as the adventure it truly is. Your attitude is contagious and will set the tone for the outing. Modified from: A Draft of Driven to Discover: Enabling Authentic Inquiry Through Citizen Science. Oberhauser, Karen et al. University of Minnesota Extension. 2013. Regents of the University of Minnesota.
