UK-CARES

Citizen Science Project

Summary Report

Project Title: Breathitt County 4-H Youth Development Citizen Science Project: Our Riverways are Important

Site Coordinator: Ryan Spicer, MS, Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development

Breathitt County

Project Faculty Research Advisor: Charles E. Stamper, Ed.D., Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development

Collaborators: UK College of Nursing & Public Health

Goal: Teach the process of citizen science to youth in Appalachia. Test and monitor waterways in the Breathitt County, Kentucky region.

Narrative:

Ryan Spicer, Breathitt County 4-H Youth Development collaborated with the 4-H Teen Council and Breathitt County Schools to lead this citizen science project. Spicer followed the definition of citizen science, “the public participates voluntarily in the scientific process, addressing real-world problems in ways that may include formulating research questions, conducting scientific experiments, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, making new discoveries, developing technologies and applications, and solving complex problems” (citizenscience.gov, 2022). Eight youth from Breathitt County participated in the project. These youth are also active in the 4-H Program.

Spicer began the project with a recruitment process. Due to a surge in local virus numbers, the project started a month later than planned. Eight youth committed to the project. The first step after recruitment was the orientation. Spicer, along with 4-H Project Leaders, instructed the youth on the definition, process, and purpose of citizen science. After the orientation, Spicer brought the group back together to design the local project (as guided from the grant). The 4-Hers, led by Spicer and 4-H Leaders, designed the program to research, test, clean, monitor, retest, and evaluate two waterways in/near Breathitt County. The grant brought $10,000 into the county from an external source. 

The youth researched the area to be monitored. After they collected initial data, they tested the water in two areas. Analysis was done on the tests. Then the youth participated in a clean up of the areas. After the clean up was completed, the youth did site visits to monitor the areas. Near the end of the grant period the youth retested the waterways to see if there were changes. Analysis was done on the second tests. Results of both tests are attached.

Summary: After the project was completed, the youth wanted to be able to present what they had done/learned. A stand-alone display of the project was part of the 2022 Kentucky 4-H Volunteer Forum. It is estimated 500 people visited the exhibit. The next phase will be a short video (being created) which will be shown publicly. Eight youth spent an estimated 20 hours on the project for a total of 160 volunteer hours. 100% of the youth reported they understand the citizen science process. 100% of the participating youth reported they plan to continue working on local environmental issues using the citizen science process.