SITES Volunteers

Schoolyard SITES offers an important role for Extension science volunteers to work with teachers to develop meaningful science experiences for elementary students.

Volunteer Benefits   

• Participate in workshops led by UNH science education and citizen science professionals
• Collaborate with an experienced elementary classroom teacher
• Design, and assist in teaching, an outdoor, locally relevant, citizen science project in partnership with a classroom teacher
• Share your passion for nature and science
• Impact how children learn science

Volunteer Requirements    

• Experience as a UNH Extension volunteer
• Experience in a natural resources or science field
• Commitment to professional learning in partnership with teachers (workshops listed above)
• Enthusiasm for working with elementary classroom teachers and youth (no teaching experience required) throughout the school year
• Willingness to support the development and implementation of a new citizen science project in an elementary classroom (topics vary from marine science to weather patterns to local wildlife to habitats and more)
• Willingness to travel periodically to schools in the Seacoast or Merrimack Valley, during the school year (time will vary depending on selected citizen science project)
• Successfully complete child safety online training & background check

Roles of Volunteers - The following activities are examples of the varied roles volunteers play in Schoolyard SITES partnerships with teachers throughout year-long projects:

Project Planning Activities (Summer/Fall)

Volunteer:

• researches citizen science programs
• develops or refines testable question
• helps install equipment (feeders, gauges. etc.) outside of class time
• develops protocol, including integration of citizen science program protocols
• researches teaching supplies (books, equipment)
• scouts/surveys schoolyard
• develop instruments or tools to use in the classroom (site maps, schematics, data sheets, etc.)
• conducts/pilots data collection from alternative location (home, work, etc.) to compare schoolyard data\

Project Implementation Activities (Fall/Winter/Spring)

Volunteer:

• teaches science content (e.g. insect identification) on a periodic or regular basis in the classroom (in small groups or whole class)
• participates in field work with students, serving as a co-leader in the field
• develops expertise in technology (e.g. iNaturalist) to share with teacher(s) and/or students.
• and teachers talk to students about collaboration, experience in science, shares their story as a scientist/role model
• attends online trainings with teachers
• leads/organizes documentation (photography, documentation of student work)
• facilitate sharing/collaboration among student groups

Post-Project Activities (Spring)

Volunteer:

• helps teacher develop an opportunity for students to share and celebrate their projects/results/experience with a larger community (families, school, neighborhood, etc.)
• compiles and/or uploads data to citizen science platform
• helps students analyze data and/or data displays
• develops display materials for Showcase