“Amphibians Count” Swartswood State Park Duck Pond Citizen Science Program

Program Design Science Content  Define vernal pond  Identify amphibians  Amphibians as indicators  Take air and water measurements  Take census (counting) Swartswood State Park  What and where are the vernal ponds  Identify and count local amphibians Science Tools  Magnifier  Thermometer  Tapioca  Animal Models  Field guide  Auditory identifier Documentation  Journal

Activity Description  Goal To involve local citizens in collecting data annually on the amphibians and conditions of a vernal pond.  Objectives Identify a vernal pond Identify amphibians Record air and water temperature Record number of amphibians in the vernal pond

Activity Structure  Introduction Agenda Logistics Tasks Topic  Hands-on Activity Identification practice Demonstration of tools and data collection

Activity  In the Field Find the vernal pond Identify the amphibians Collect the data  Aggregate the Data Share the data

What Will You Do Today?  Logistics  Overview  Hands-on activity  Field work  Share data

Identify an amphibian Wood Frog Spring Peeper Bull Frog Redback Salamander

Cognitive  Barriers Information Overload Short attention span Communication: non-written, non-verbal Organization Following directions

Cognitive Science Content  Define vernal pond  Identify amphibians  Amphibians as indicators  Take air and water measurements  Take census (counting) Swartswood State Park  What and where are the vernal ponds  Identify and count local amphibians Science Content  Define vernal pond  Identify amphibians  Take census (counting) Swartswood State Park  What and where are the vernal ponds  Identify and count six amphibians

Cognitive Science Tools  Magnifier  Thermometer  Tapioca  Animal Models  Field guide  Auditory identifier Documentation  Journal Science Tools  Magnifier  Tapioca  Animal Models  Field guide  Auditory identifier Documentation  Modified journal (simple check list)

Visual  Barriers Reading and writing Manipulation Walking and balance Color blindness Depth perception

Visual Science Content  Define vernal pond  Identify amphibians  Amphibians as indicators  Take air and water measurements  Take census (counting) Swartswood State Park  What and where are the vernal ponds  Identify and count local amphibians Science Content  Define vernal pond  Identify amphibians  Amphibians as indicators  Take air and water measurements  Take census (counting) Swartswood State Park  What and where are the vernal ponds  Identify and count frogs that can be heard

Visual Science Tools  Magnifier  Thermometer  Tapioca  Animal Models  Field guide  Auditory identifier Documentation  Journal Science Tools  Magnifier  Talking thermometer  Tapioca  Animal Models  Field guide  Auditory identifier Documentation  Modified journal (tape recorder that can be uploaded at facility)

Age-related  Barriers Mobility Hearing Blind or low vision

Age-related Science Content  Define vernal pond  Identify amphibians  Amphibians as indicators  Take air and water measurements  Take census (counting) Swartswood State Park  What and where are the vernal ponds  Identify and count local amphibians Science Content  Define vernal pond  Identify amphibians  Amphibians as indicators  Take air and water measurements  Take census (counting) Swartswood State Park  What and where are the vernal ponds  Identify and count local amphibians

Age-related Science Tools  Magnifier  Thermometer  Tapioca  Animal Models  Field guide  Auditory identifier Science Tools  Magnifier  Talking thermometer  Tapioca  Animal Models  Field guide  Auditory identifier  Head sets  Benches

Age-related Documentation  Journal Documentation  Journal options Standard journal Tape recorder that can be uploaded at facility Large print Modified writing tools