Virginia Master  Naturalist Basic Training Curriculum
Citizen Science and Research Skills

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

​This page contains numerous curriculum resources that may be used flexibly by Virginia Master Naturalist chapters and trainees to meet their learning needs.  These resources also are available to other volunteer programs and the public for their use, but please note that watching or reading these materials cannot substitute for enrolling in and completing a basic training course with a VMN chapter in order to become a Virginia Master Naturalist volunteer.

Thank you to the numerous people who contributed to the creation of these materials, including....  
Give us your feedback on these curriculum materials! 
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Image by VMN-Historic Southside Chapter

Learning Objectives - DRAFT
Upon completion of the Virginia Master Naturalist basic training course, participants will understand and be able to describe:

  • Describe the types of field studies (inventory-including BioBlitz, monitoring, and experimental studies) that may be used to investigate populations, communities and ecosystems, and understand when and why these types of studies are used
  • Understand the process of science and how it informs natural resource management
  • Demonstrate basic field study skills, including observing, field journaling, following protocols, data recording, and data visualization
  • Be familiar with the opportunities for citizen science aligned with the VMN program, with an emphasis on projects focused in Virginia
  • Use keys and field guides to identify organisms
  • Demonstrate basic map and GPS skills as they would apply to citizen science projects
  • Identify and demonstrate proper field safety techniques
  • Understand methods for ensuring data quality 
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Image by VMN-Rivanna Chapter

Introductory Videos-DRAFT

What: Short videos to introduce volunteers to the topic of Citizen Science and Research Skills.

Possible uses:
  • Have trainees watch before class as preparation
  • Watch as part of class
  • Have trainees watch after class as review or supplementary material
  • Have existing members watch as a refresher on this topic
The Awesome Power of Citizen Science, by SciShow on YouTube.
What is Citizen Science by the University of Minnesota Extension on YouTube.
Volunteers Make Citizen Science Work by the US Environmental Protection Agency on YouTube.
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Image by VMN-Rivanna Chapter

Background Readings-DRAFT

Most Recommended Readings​
Supplemental Readings​
Above and Beyond, for those seeking more in-depth information
Note that book publisher websites are provided, but often these books are available from other sources at varying prices.

Online Data Management Resources
iNaturalist: http://inaturalist.org.  This online tool and app combines the power of social media with nature observation.  It is the tool the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is using for the WildlifeMapping project.  It is also a great tool for recording BioBlitz data; we recommend it for chapters undertaking biodiversity inventories.

CitSci.org: http://www.citsci.org.  This online tool is an excellent resource for creating a data repository for monitoring and other citizen science projects.  VMN chapters developing a citizen science project can use CitSci.org to host data sheets for participants, allow for online data entry, and even data visualization.  CitSci.org is the tool used by the Virginia Vernal Pools project.
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Image by VMN-Historic Rivers Chapter

Presentation Videos

What: A three-part set of online videos of PowerPoint presentations with narration by Michelle Prysby, Director of the Virginia Master Naturalist program.  Combined, they are approximately 45 minutes long.
Possible uses:
  • Have trainees watch before class as preparation
  • Watch as part of class, combined with hands-on activities
  • Have trainees watch after class as review
  • Share with instructor to give him/her an idea of the type of material to cover
  • Have trainees watch as a make-up for a missed class on the same topic
  • Have existing members watch as a refresher on this topic
User Notes: Please note that you can make the video full-screen, toggle between standard and high definition, and toggle the closed captioning on and off.  Also, if you do not have an internet connection that is sufficient for streaming video, you may instead download the videos to watch offline simply by clicking on the title of the video so that that it opens on the Vimeo site and then clicking the "Download" button below the video.  Please also note that these videos are intended to be used in conjunction with the handout provided below.

Note for Basic Training Chairs and Course Instructors: The script for the full Powerpoint presentation is provided below for download in MS Excel format, which makes it easy to add, delete, or re-order slides.  Basic training chairs for VMN chapters may contact the state office for access to the full Powerpoint file.  Both the Powerpoint and the script may be used and adapted for your courses.  Please pay attention to the image license restrictions listed in the notes section for each slide in the Powerpoint file.  
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Image by VMN-Central Rappahannock Chapter

Presentation Handout

What: A two-page handout that matches up with the presentation.  It is best printed in color, but black and white is acceptable.

Possible uses:  The handout is meant to accompany the PowerPoint presentation or the videos, so if an instructor is using the presentation in class, he/she should distribute the handout in lieu of a handout containing all the slides.  It is not recommended that you print the slides for a handout, as they are almost entirely image-based and would not make good reference material.
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Note: We have provided the handout in both PDF and MS Word formats.  You may adapt the MS Word version to fit your chapter by, for example, adding additional, relevant volunteer projects to the list provided.
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Image by Michelle Prysby, VMN program

Activity Lesson Plans

What: Lesson plans for interactive activities on aspects of aquatic ecology and management.

Possible uses: These activities can be used during class time to encourage trainees to apply the material they have learned and to break up lecture time with an interactive exercise.  The lesson plans are written so that they may be led by non-experts, including VMN volunteers.
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Photo by Tom Long, VMN-Headwaters Chapter

Assessment Questions

What: A set of possible assessment questions on this topic for VMN trainees.

Possible uses: Incorporate these questions into written or practical assessments during the course.
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Image by VMN-Rivanna Chapter

Evaluation Materials

What: Evaluation packet consisting of a summary form to be completed by the chapter's training chair and individual evaluation forms to be completed by chapter trainees.

Possible uses:  We would like to have you help us evaluate the effectiveness of these materials for meeting program goals.  We request that chapters using any of these materials have their trainees complete the evaluation form.  The training chair or coordinator for that class should complete the cover sheet and return the cover sheet and all individual forms to the VMN statewide program office.

training_evaluation_chapter_cover_sheet.pdf
File Size: 82 kb
File Type: pdf
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