Karen Dvornich, National Director

Karen Dvornich is cofounder and national director of the NatureMapping program and outreach coordinator for the University of Washington's Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. She was project assistant for the Washington Gap Analysis Project, the first statewide assessment of biodiversity, and continues to conduct biodiversity research and implementation of NatureMapping data for county and community planning.

Dvornich began working with Informal Science Education organizations in 2005 to create a network of NatureMapping centers throughout the United States, educating and supporting schools and communities in conservation planning and field research projects while providing credible data to the NatureMapping database. She holds bachelor's degrees in zoology and animal behavior and has over 20 years of experience in telecommunications and information technology.

Overview

• Molding Young Scientists During the School Day
• Overview Video: Technology Empowers Student Fieldwork

Lessons

• Overview: NatureMapping Lessons at a Glance
• How to Tell the Time and Date
• Using Guides and Animal Size to Teach Species Recognition
• Using Environmental Clues to Teach Species Recognition
• How to Estimate Animal Size and Numbers at a Distance
• Teaching Directions, Maps, and Coordinates
• A Lesson on Nature Note Taking
• How to Collect and Evaluate Observations in the Field
• A Glossary of Common NatureMapping Terms

Articles

• NatureMapping Takes Kids -- and Technology -- Outside and into Active Learning
• A Week in the Life of the NatureMapping Program
• Third-Party Assessment of NatureMapping
• Tips and Resources

Contacts

• Karen Dvornich, National Director
• Diane Petersen, Teacher

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