Funding Recipient Spotlight: SciStarter

Posted in: Blog

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We want to highlight the amazing work being done in our region by regularly featuring funded projects in our nine states. This week, we are featuring the SciStarter project led by founder and director, Darlene Cavalier.

SciStarter, an online citizen science hub that connects people to thousands of opportunities to participate in citizen science, wanted to modify and enhance existing pollinator kit printable materials (e.g., data sheets, worksheets, etc.) to meet the needs of Spanish and Navajo-speaking library community members.

Pollinator kits can include items such as binoculars, stopwatches, local flower and bee identification guides, sunflower seeds, and more. As pollinator populations have sharply declined, tracking their locations as well as promoting the environmental needs of pollinators is crucial. By having SciStarter resources translated into other languages, access is expanded to encourage participation from additional communities.

Darlene said, “The activities were developed by and for these communities and use cultural humility standards such as basing the “breakfast menu” activity on typical diets and breakfasts. Local community members also reviewed the activities which are designed to increase an understanding of the role that pollinators play on our food sources, and therefore our health. The activities build confidence leading up to engagement in a related citizen science project to monitor local pollinators. You’ll see that participants learn about local plants and pollinators (and how they interact), how that impacts the food they eat, and how to help scientists study and protect pollinators.”

Individuals have the opportunity to share their feedback to improve existing SciStarter kits and develop new resources. To find out more about these materials, visit SciStarter’s site and scroll down to the Additional Resources section.

Looking to obtain funding to create or expand your outreach programming or technology resources? We are currently accepting applications for Year 4. The deadline to apply is coming up November 10, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. MT. Reach out to your state’s point of contact with any questions you may have.

• Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico – Dana Abbey
• Idaho, Montana, Utah – George Strawley
• North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming – David Brown

Planning on submitting an application? Reach out to John Bramble to assist you with a budget review.