Elementary Institute of Science Students To Become First High School Group to Conduct Citizen Scientist Research in Glacier National Park
June 22, 2010 - SAN DIEGO, CA - Twenty-two students from the Elementary Institute of Science (EIS) will be the first group of high school students to participate in a week-long, Citizen Science research expedition this July at one of the country’s most spectacular national parks.
Students from the EIS Commission on Science that Matters will be the first high school researchers in the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center Citizen Science Program to study the effects of climate change on glaciers and the park’s inhabitants. Students will use repeat photography to examine the visual changes of the landscape over the last 100 years, study the pika, a temperature sensitive alpine species, and conduct mountain goat surveys to determine baseline populations for this climate change indicator species.
The students, who come from 10 different San Diego high schools, including Kyle Davis from Catholic Cathedral High, Dieynaba Edwards from the Language Academy, Gabriela Espinal from Grossmont Middle College High School, Michael Fisher from Lincoln High, Jan Gloster III and Adrian White from High Tech High, Lauren Jones from Serra High, Gabriel Medina from University City High School, Brianna Morrow from San Diego High, Carington Novo from Steele Canyon High, Braulio Lopez from St. Jude Academy, Jianna Osawa, Jinja Osawa, Rhoda Sabatchi, Rhona Sabatchi, Ashley Stevens, Kristen Stevens, and Tyler Stevens from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, Janeen Williamson from Mira Mesa High Middle College, and Jordanne Williamson and Kyle Smith from the San Diego Academy, will apply their hands-on learning and experimentation skills to conduct research alongside nationally recognized climate change scientists.
“The Citizen Science Program allows people who may or may not have prior formal training to help us collect data,” explains Melissa Sladek, science communication technician with the National Park Service. “The students will help us track glacial and vegetation changes as well as collect baseline data on indicator species for climate change.”
Located in Montana near the Canadian border, this is the 100th anniversary of Glacier National Park. Measuring 1,600 square miles (1,013,598 acres), Glacier is one of the largest national parks in the country, and attracts more than 2.7 million visitors a year. Glacier had more than 125 glaciers 100 years ago, and now has 25. It is feared that at the end of this decade there may not be any glaciers left due to global warming.
As participants in the Commission on Science That Matters, EIS students spent the last year studying global warming, climate legislation, clean energy, alternative energy sources, and green jobs. When they return, they will be informed advocates influencing their peers about the importance of preserving the earth’s natural environments.
The trip is sponsored by and in partnership with, the National Park Service (NPS) Cabrillo National Monument and Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek, Southern California Research Learning Center (SCRLC), Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center (CCRLC), and the California Wolf Center.
Since 1916, the American people have entrusted the National Park Service with the care of their national parks. With the help of volunteers and park partners, NPS is proud to safeguard nearly 400 locations, and to share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. As part of NPS, the Cabrillo National Monument is a regional supporter of EIS and the Commission on Science That Matters.
The community assistance arm of NPS, the Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) supports community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects. RTCA staff also provide technical assistance to communities so they can conserve rivers, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways.
Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek works in partnership with the City of San Diego and the Chollas Creek communities of Southeastern San Diego to improve the environment, economy and quality of life there. With the assistance of students, families, businesses, and partner organizations, Groundwork restores creek and open space, tracks and saves species, and provides educational outreach around conservation, clean water, and climate challenge issues. Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek is part of the Groundwork USA national network of trusts, in partnership with EPA and National park Service.
SCRLC supports a broad scope of research on the terrestrial, freshwater, and marine aspects of the Mediterranean Biome, but focuses on promoting research directed specifically at park management needs.
Likewise CCRLC supports research in Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and communicates research results to park managers, staff, and visitors while engaging the public in participating in scientific data collection through the citizen science program.
Finally, the California Wolf Center is a one-of-a-kind education, conservation, and research center founded in 1977 to educate the public about wildlife and ecology, and is home to several packs of gray wolves.
“The students helped us with volunteer work as part of building up their physical endurance at high altitudes, and we taught them about ecology in preparation for their research at Glacier,” said Erin Hunt of the California Wolf Center. “We were pleased and privileged to have them here.”
To follow the journey of the students involved with the EIS Commission on Science that Matters, visit the Commission on Science that Matters (CoStM) Facebook page.
About the Elementary Institute of Science
The Elementary Institute of Science is a premiere science enrichment program nurturing the intellectual curiosity of San Diego's young people by providing "hands-on" experiences to stimulate an on-going appreciation and understanding of science and technology.
About California Wolf Center
The California Wolf Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the return of wild wolves to their natural habitat and to the people who share the landscape with them. We foster communities coming together to ensure wolves, livestock, and people thrive in today’s world. Learn more at californiawolfcenter.org
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