As previously mentioned, there will be three special tracks at #CitSci2019. The keynote speaker for Thursday, Dr. Max Liboiron, is sure to deliver a compelling presentation that will amplify excitement for the first track on environmental justice and citizen science. Following that, the Friday keynote speaker, Rachael Polmanteer, will bring her and enthusiasm for science education and energize those interested in the special track on citizen science and science education.

Once involved in different aspects of research and veterinary care, Rachel became the director of a non-profit animal rescue organization involved in the rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of over 400 animals in the triangle area of North Carolina. Under her direction, the organization provided additional spaying/neutering for low income families, and donated over 60,000 lbs of food for animals in need.

While serving as the director of Rachael’s Rescue, Rachael was also inspiring the next generation of future scientists as an award-winning middle school teacher. Educators interested in citizen science can look forward to hearing about Rachael’s efforts on integrating citizen science and science curricula.

A testament to the value of multi-stakeholder, cross-disciplinary conferences like CSA, Rachael change her entire lab structure to incorporate a variety of citizen science projects, following a poster presentation at #CitSci2017. She has organized citizen science professional development for teachers across the state, installed outdoor pollinator classrooms, organized BioBlitzs, and continues to develop new curriculum based on citizen science projects.

One of the projects that she and her class have been involved in, the eMammal program, has recently published some of its results in Bioscience. Learn more about how she teaches science to her students by having them do real science. Can’t wait to learn more about the intersection of citizen science and STEM education from Rachael at #CitSci2019? Follow her on twitter and don’t forget to register by January 31st for the earlybird rates.

Interested in the conference but not sure if it is for you? Join an online Q&A session January 30th, noon Eastern.

Posted on: January 29, 2019  |  Category: #citsci2019, Blog, conference, CSA Blog, News