Land Use Explorers Kits to Inspire Place-Based Science Exploration
The kits are designed to encourage youth of ages nine through 13 to learn about and explore the land where they live and play. The kits were created as part of a National Science Foundation supported research project called Water-Agriculture-Food-Energy Research Nexus (WAFERx).
Each kit includes a 40-page, full-color book with lessons on how the production of food, water and energy are connected to the animals, plants and humans who live on the land. The kit further includes profiles of the scientists and engineers who are part of the WAFERx project as well as an activity on citizen science for youth to carry out on their own. Each kit comes in a zippered pouch that includes a magnifying glass, observation journal and colored pencils.
“The Land Use Explorer kits are a great opportunity to expose young people to science through a range of different types of activities such as citizen science including the NASA-developed GLOBE Observer app,” said Meghann Jarchow, chair and associate professor of the USD Department of Sustainability & Environment and co-principal investigator on the WAFERx project.
The kits are free of charge to organizations that can use them with youth this summer and provide a short feedback report to the researchers. Preference will go to organizations that are serving youth typically underrepresented in STEM, such as girls, minorities, youth with disabilities or youth in rural areas. The kits can be used by youth gathering in groups or learning remotely; however, only organizations—not individuals—may apply for the kits at this time.
The deadline to apply for Land Use Explorers kits is June 21. For more information or to apply, visit waferx.montana.edu/land-use-explorers.html or contact Suzi Taylor with the MSU Science Math Resource Center at taylor@montana.edu.
