arizona rivers martha p.l. whitaker presentation to science alliance in phoenix august 31, 2007
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Arizona Rivers Martha P.L. Whitaker Presentation to Science Alliance in Phoenix August 31, 2007. Supported by a grant from Science Foundation Arizona. Science Foundation AZ - goals. S cience T echnology E ngineering M ath “STEM” workforce development K-12 Innovative Experience Program - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Arizona RiversMartha P.L. Whitaker
Presentation to Science Alliance in PhoenixAugust 31, 2007
Supported by a grant from Science Foundation Arizona
Science Foundation AZ - goals
Science Technology Engineering Math
“STEM” workforce development
K-12 Innovative Experience Program Motivate students and carry them beyond traditional
classrooms Hands-on engagement with actual professionals Goal-directed context that encourages design,
implementation and use of knowledge in science & math.
Arizona Rivers - goals
1. Facilitate local collaborations between students, volunteer monitoring groups, state and local agencies for the purpose of re-energizing the spirit of scientific discovery & inquiry to: Study riparian or other aquatic ecosystems and habitats Monitor riparian ecology and water quality Develop student-based research projects Collect baseline data on stream restoration
2. Develop a lasting collaborative network of teachers and citizens interested in Arizona water issues.
3. Contribute to GLOBE, Arizona Audubon and Phenology long-term data bases
How do we do this?
Workshops Summer workshops in Tucson, Phoenix & FlagstaffWeekend workshops during the academic year
Yuma in January?
Training stipends for teachers $100/dayTravel stipends available
Small Grants up to $250 (equipment? Bus rental? etc?)Implementation Grantswww.azrivers.orgEquipment check-out via Project WET & HWHP
What are the workshops about?
Fast–paced! Goal: familiarity – not a Ph.D.Mostly topical introductions and field practiceMorning field trips to practice skills at local river
e.g. Rio SaladoMany agency/organization reps attend as guest
speakers to help develop long-term collaborationsLook for one thing to start with – build a richer more
comprehensive study plan with time.
Summer workshops – more variety; Weekend workshops during the year – only one or
two topics
How else do we do this?
Established monitoring networks offer:Better coordinationRiver restoration monitoringReady-made site for research and possible
project needsPlace-based, student-centered research
Classroom benefits
Raised awareness – sensitivity to ecosystemsFostering of environmental stewardshipApplication of intuitive interdisciplinary skillsHigher-order science skills (Scientific Method)
Learn, describe, apply, collect, analyze, design, adjust, hypothesize, report, assess
Meet NSF goalsScientific literacy, Discovery, Learning, Workforce
Practical Aspects – how do I participate?
Define an area of interestAsk a question (we can help)Conduct background research on issues – context!Develop needed skills (AZrivers training!)Acquire/borrow equipment (Small grants )Recruit a mentor (we can help)Start making measurementsShare your data
(not necessarily the order they need to be done in)
Who can participate?
Students School-based Home-schooled K-16 => Community college
Clubs After school Scouts, 4-H, FFA
Organizations Citizen scientists Watershed monitoring
groups
Current Participants
Community colleges Public, charter, private schools Science centers Volunteer monitors, Citizen scientists Tribal communities Cooperative extension State agencies
Mentors
Possible Roles Help define critical
research questions Provide classroom
support Context & background Scientific & career advice Skills development
Provide field support Access & transport Equipment Training
One-on-one mentoring
Potential Collaborators
Federal AgenciesUS Geologic SurveyUS Army Corp of Eng.Bureau of Land Mgmt.
State & Co. AgenciesAZ Game & FishAZ State ParksPima Parks & Rec.Pima/Maricopa Flood
Watershed MonitorsRio Salado, Santa Cruz,
Gila, Verde, San Pedro
OthersAZ Riparian CouncilAZ AudubonAZ Hydrologic SocietyAZ Science CenterBiosphere 2Master WS StewardsNature ConservancyCentral AZ ProjectSalt River Project
Possible Projects
AnimalsBirdsMammals & BatsReptilesAmphibians - crayfishInsects - land & aquatic
Study:census / inventoryseasonal changestracks & scathabits
Possible Projects
PlantsTreesShrubsGrassesFlowers
Study:transect / quadrant countslandcover changeresponse to climatecreate dichotomous key
Possible Projects
Water QualityTemppH; conductivityTransparencyAlkalinityDissolved oxygenNitrates
Macroinvertebrates
Monitor:stream water qualityaquatic health assessment
GeomorphologyChannel geometrySediment transportFlow / No flowEphemeral channelsFlood/erosion impacts
Stream RestorationChannel stabilizationHabitat restorationLong-term monitoring
Possible Projects
Target or Priority sites
Cities Rio Salado, Tempe Town Lk Gilbert, Tres Rios, &
Sweetwater Wetlands Agua Caliente Sabino Canyon
San Pedro Middle / Grey Hawk Aravipa
Santa Cruz Rio Rico, Tubac, Marana
Verde Prescott Rivers Beaver, Oak, Sycamore
creek Dead Horse S.P.
Gila Safford, San Carlos,
Yuma
Agua Fria Horsethief Basin
Contacts
TucsonMartha P.L.Whitaker
AZ Rivers is supported by a grant from Science Foundation Arizona
PhoenixPhil Pepe [email protected]
Elena Ortiz-Barney [email protected]
FlagstaffCharlie Schlinger [email protected]
Evaluation
How we can help better Number & type of projects Demographics of participants Level of engagement Level of knowledge and skill Progress toward professional
development Accessibility of
Mentors Equipment Study sites
Level of satisfaction