Lacey D. Huffling

‘Unthinkable’ Selves: Identity boundary work in a summer field ecology enrichment program for diverse youth

The historical under-representation of diverse youth in environmental science education is inextricably connected to access and identity-related issues. Many diverse youth with limited previous experience to the outdoors as a source for learning and/or leisure may consider environmental science as ‘unthinkable’. This is an ethnographic study of 16 diverse high school youths’ participation, none of who initially fashioned themselves as ‘outdoorsy’ or ‘animal people’, in a four-week summer enrichment program focused on herpetology (study of reptiles and amphibians). To function as ‘good’ participants, youth acted in ways that placed them well outside their comfort zones, which we labeled as identity boundary work. Results highlight the following cultural tools, norms, and practices that enabled youths’ identity boundary work: (1) boundary objects (tools regularly used in the program that facilitated youths’ engagement with animals and nature and helped them work through fear or discomfort); (2) time and space (responsive, to enable adaptation to new environments, organisms, and scientific field techniques); (3) social support and collective agency; and (4) scientific and anecdotal knowledge and skills. Findings suggest challenges to commonly held beliefs about equitable pedagogy, which assumes that scientific practices must be thinkable and/or relevant before youth engage meaningfully. Further, findings illustrate the ways that fear, in small doses and handled with empathy, may become a resource for youths’ connections to animals, nature, and science. Finally, we propose that youths’ situated identity boundary work in the program may have the potential to spark more sustained identity work, given additional experiences and support.

Learning by Lassoing Lizards: The Ins and Outs of Developing a Field-Based

Abstract n We describe a field-based lizard project we did with high school students as a part of our summer Herpetological Research Experiences. We describe data collection on lizards captured, identified, and marked as a part of our mark—recapture study. We also describe other lizard projects that are ongoing in the United States and provide resources for teachers to help them start their own field-based science projects. Our work with lizards focuses on fieldwork but also includes classroom components with captive-bred and wild-captured animals. Information on organizations that focus on lizards is provided, including several citizen science opportunities.We describe a field-based lizard project we did with high school students as a part of our summer Herpetological Research Experiences. We describe data collection on lizards captured, identified, and marked as a part of our mark– recapture study. We also describe other lizard projects that are ongoing in the United States and provide resources for teachers to help them start their own field-based science projects. Our work with lizards focuses on fieldwork but also includes classroom components with captive-bred and wild-captured animals. Information on organizations that focus on lizards is provided, including several citizen science opportunities.

The Ins & Outs of Developing a Field-Based Science Project: Learning by Lassoing Lizards

Abstract n We describe a field-based lizard project we did with high school students as a part of our summer Herpetological Research Experiences. We describe data collection on lizards captured, identified, and marked as a part of our mark—recapture study. We also describe other lizard projects that are ongoing in the United States and provide resources for teachers to help them start their own field-based science projects. Our work with lizards focuses on fieldwork but also includes classroom components with captive-bred and wild-captured animals. Information on organizations that focus on lizards is provided, including several citizen science opportunities.We describe a field-based lizard project we did with high school students as a part of our summer Herpetological Research Experiences. We describe data collection on lizards captured, identified, and marked as a part of our mark– recapture study. We also describe other lizard projects that are ongoing in the United States and provide resources for teachers to help them start their own field-based science projects. Our work with lizards focuses on fieldwork but also includes classroom components with captive-bred and wild-captured animals. Information on organizations that focus on lizards is provided, including several citizen science opportunities.

The Ins & Outs of Developing a Field-Based Science Project

Abstract n We describe a field-based lizard project we did with high school students as a part of our summer Herpetological Research Experiences. We describe data collection on lizards captured, identified, and marked as a part of our mark—recapture study. We also describe other lizard projects that are ongoing in the United States and provide resources for teachers to help them start their own field-based science projects. Our work with lizards focuses on fieldwork but also includes classroom components with captive-bred and wild-captured animals. Information on organizations that focus on lizards is provided, including several citizen science opportunities.We describe a field-based lizard project we did with high school students as a part of our summer Herpetological Research Experiences. We describe data collection on lizards captured, identified, and marked as a part of our mark– recapture study. We also describe other lizard projects that are ongoing in the United States and provide resources for teachers to help them start their own field-based science projects. Our work with lizards focuses on fieldwork but also includes classroom components with captive-bred and wild-captured animals. Information on organizations that focus on lizards is provided, including several citizen science opportunities.