ecoEXPLORE
Become a citizen scientist!
What is ecoEXPLORE?
ecoEXPLORE (Experiences Promoting Learning Outdoors for Research and Education) is an incentive-based citizen science program for children in grades K-8. Developed by The North Carolina Arboretum, this innovative pilot program combines science exploration with kid-friendly technology to foster a fun learning environment for children while encouraging them to explore the outdoors and participate in citizen science. This is a free program where children work to earn badges and prizes.
What is citizen science?
Citizen Science encourages volunteers of any age to collect and submit scientific information to real life scientists, which will assist in their research and data analysis. Scientists around the world need help collecting data. By becoming a citizen scientist, participants can help professional scientists understand changes in the environment and see how these changes impact plants, animals and other natural resources.
Please visit www.ecoexplore.net for more information or to sign up.
Library Partners
Libraries can become involved in ecoEXPLORE by becoming a LoanSpots which are public libraries selected for children ages 5-13 and their families to visit. These libraries serve as locations where families can check out outdoor learning materials and equipment such as day packs including nature study gear, trail cameras and iPod touch units used for photographing wildlife and plants. Children are invited to photograph organisms and submit their observations to ecoexplore.net. High quality observations are added to iNaturalist.org, a joint initiative from the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society. Children earn up to five points per observation which are redeemed for prizes such as wildlife cameras, binoculars, field guides and insect nets.
You can learn more by visiting ecoexplore.net or email ecoexplore@greensboroscience.org if you have any questions.
Libraries that are already part of the ecoEXPLORE network can schedule quarterly programs by filling out the Library Program Request Form.