S2S kicks off Youth Field Science Program at Manassas National Battlefield Park with Military Youth Cohort!

The S2S Youth Cohort, parents, and volunteers taking a short break after our nature walk!

Earlier this year, S2S was awarded funding to host a Youth Field Science Program at Manassas National Battlefield Park. The National Park Foundation had been following S2S’s work and encouraged us to put together a program for military affiliated youth. After securing the grant, S2S has been hard a work expanding and maintaining our citizen science infrastructure at the park. Our nest box network has continued to expand and American Kestrels have been spotted in the park numerous times. In addition, thanks to the diligent work of Corine Hagan, a falconer and a pivotal member of our research team, these nest boxes have been well maintained and numerous coverboards have been installed at strategic locations throughout the park. These coverboards are designed to provide homes for small mammals and critters, increasing the likelihood of sightings for our Youth Field Science Program.

Over the last eight months, S2S Director Michael Cohn has been hard at work contacting Field Experts to help support our Youth Program modules. With the help of ornithologists, master naturalists, soil scientists, archaeologists, and herpetologists, S2S has put together an amazing team of field guides to help educate the youth cohort during different modules throughout the Spring.

On Saturday, April 11th, S2S kicked off the program with an introductory BioBlitz and orientation, leading youth participants on a nature walk and teaching them about the principles of ethical field science. Participants were also introduced to analog data entry through nature journaling and how these often simple illustrations represent the foundations of data recording in field science and natural history. It was a beautiful day and a great start to our program!

Youth Participants got a chance to practice nature journaling, use a stethoscope camera to investigate nest boxes, inspect a cover board research station, and check out some beautiful little nooks hidden away off trail. It was a great day for time outdoors, exercise, and community as these young field scientists began to learn just how easy it is to make valued observations in a natural setting. We are very excited for our upcoming modules as they become more focused on specific sciences and investigation methods important to field science and Manassas National Battlefield Park! Check out our video and some of the photos!