Want to Make a Real Science Contribution?

Would you like to have the chance to do some "real" science and even have the chance to get your research published?  Do I have an opportunity for you!  I found out about an outstanding program conducted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology called Bird Sleuth.  According to their website "students engage in authentic inquiry through citizen science and their own science investigations! They carefully observe birds, ask and answer their own questions based on observations and data, and publish their original research. BirdSleuth kids also use technology and real data: the Internet makes it easy to send and receive data that helps scientists to better understand birds. Plus, kids everywhere can enjoy and benefit from the physical and cognitive benefits of time spent outdoors in nature!"

All that aside it sounds like a lot of fun and a really good way to get outside and enjoy nature.  It is also a fantastic way to learn about doing real science: from "observing birds carefully, collecting data, asking their own questions, drawing conclusions through research and observation, and publishing results."  Yes, publishing results is also an important part of doing science and that is how our knowledge and experience is shared. "Each fall the Lab publishes the national edition of our student research journal, Classroom BirdScope, along with a twice-annual supplement called BirdSleuth Reports, which both feature student research and creative work—that’s real science by real kids!"

So let's link to:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdsleuth/about/what-is-birdsleuth?utm_source=aab&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=CrossPromoteAAB_BS_20100201
Where we can find out how we can contribute to some real science!  That way we can keep our eyes open and add our observations to our own Science Notebook!