NatureMapping: Tips and Resources

Started in 1992, NatureMapping grew from the big idea of developing an international biodiversity database for use by scientists and the public. And who better to add to it than students? Across the world, students, teachers, and communities are working together to identify and record species in their areas to contribute to the database, which in turn gives scientists a tool for research and conservation efforts. NatureMapping teaches students about science while making a real contribution to the field.

Editor's Note: Since we first reported this story, NatureMapping moved from the University of Washington to become an independent foundation, which gave the program more freedom to integrate student field research projects and the latest technology for data collection and analyses. The Adopt-a-Farmer Project has been going strong for more than a decade, and now every grade in the Waterville Elementary School participates. Click here for an interactive map of all NatureMapping projects.

• Getting Started
• Mentoring
• Relationship-Building
• Assessment

Getting Started Tips

Want to start a full-time-learning model in your community? Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or community member, these tips will help you get going.

Do your research:

• View this site and others for ideas about what type of program you want to create, for which age groups, and during which hours.
• Review academic standards. Always make sure standards fold into the project.
• Talk with leaders from similar programs for background information.
• Document your needs and findings.

Recruit good people:

• Principals should play an active role.
• Recruit people with strong leadership skills and connections to the community.
• Ask colleagues, parents, and friends to help. Assign specific roles and tasks.

Develop a business plan:

• Highlight how the project benefits students.
• Refer to historically successful learning programs: Include essentials, such as the project goal, outline, funding ideas, resources, and directive.

Sell the project:

• Get the PTA and parent groups involved. Parents can participate directly (by becoming mentors) or indirectly (by recruiting their employers).
• Ask civic organizations and businesses for support.

Involve the students:

• Ask them to brainstorm their own full-time-learning programs.
• Encourage them to take part in the plan.

Getting Started Links

Check out these websites for more information about establishing your own program.

• U.S. Dept of Education Afterschool Training Toolkit: Sample lessons, videos, and activities for developing after-school curriculum.
• CORAL Initiative: Methods and materials about Communities Organizing Resources to Advance Learning (CORAL), an initiative to create high-quality, out-of-school learning opportunities for youth in California.
• Center for Afterschool Education: Professional development, technical assistance, tools, and publications for building K-12 after-school programs.
• Partnership for After School Education: Child-focused organization offering after-school training programs and consultations for community leaders and educators.
• Mott Foundation -- New Day For Learning: Full report from the task force that inspired a "new learning" system and Edutopia's New Day for Learning coverage.

Mentoring Tips

Mentors function as kids’ bridge to reality. But often hindered by lack of training and time, how do mentors make a lasting impression? Seasoned mentors and educators share their tips:

• Be enthusiastic and passionate. Motivated mentors make for motivated kids.
• Be organized, detailed, and flexible. Keep students engaged by adapting to their individual needs.
• Give students your full time and attention. Get to know them to make a real connection.
• Develop a manageable but usable project. Make it easy to create but not easy to waste.
• Encourage students to share with others. This builds a sense of community.
• Finally, just be yourself.

Mentoring Links

Check out these websites for more information about mentoring.

• Donors Choose: Database of educational projects that connects educators to prospective donors.
• icouldbe.org: Program model that matches young students with mentors.
• Volunteer Match: Database matching volunteers with volunteer opportunities.
• Meetup Mentor Group: Searchable list of mentor groups by geographic location.
• MENTOR: Comprehensive resources for becoming a mentor and starting a mentorship program.
• NWREL's National Mentoring Center: Center for training and technical assistance for youth mentoring programs and initiatives.

Relationship-Building Tips

Here are some tips for forming and keeping lasting school-community relationships.

• Network to build relationships.
• Spread the word to your internal base. Start with friends and colleagues.
• Talk to parent and parent-leaders in your school. Identify their skills and recruit them as mentors or spokespeople.
• Talk about the project at open houses and orientations. Ask anyone and everyone to support the kids.
• Form and nurture partnerships.
• Identify companies, youth organizations, nonprofits, and colleges that want to create a school-community connection.
• Give presentations, and set up a booth at company outreach events.
• Host thank-you events and provide constant feedback.
• Develop a seamless tie between classroom and the extended day.
• Create organization. Provide ongoing training and support for mentors. Schedule meeting times when mentors and teachers can discuss student progress and create cohesive lesson plans.
• Consider hiring a liaison to act as a mentor trainer and student tutor.
• Update parents on how their kids are doing socially and academically.
• Invite mentors and partners to staff meetings and teacher luncheons. Keep everyone focused on a connection between the classroom and project.

Relationship-Building Links

Check out these websites for more information about developing community partnerships.

• Building Community Partnerships PDF: Tips for Out-of-School-Time Programs : Information for program providers on involving communities in out-of-school programs.
• National Youth Development Information Center: Research, strategies, checklists, and tools for developing school-community partnerships.
• National Youth Leadership Council: News, programs, and project resources about service learning.
• Helping America's Youth Partnership Guide: Techniques, tips, and guides for helping individuals and communities become involved in youth development.

Assessment Tips

What measures do educators and administrators take in evaluating the success of a full-time learning program? Following is a short tip list for assessing program and student achievements.

• Assess students based on rubrics rather than relying solely on grades. Student development is often more important than the final outcome.
• Track student's progress throughout the course of the program through rubrics, or predefined criteria, often based on academic standards and 21st century learning skills.
• Define clear program goals. Ask students to complete a pre-screening questionnaire, including what they expect to achieve from the project. Also, ask questions relating to student's current knowledge level. This helps in creating rubrics and tracking progress.
• Collect data and evaluations throughout the program. Train teachers and mentors about the importance of rubrics and the assessment process. Encourage routine progress reports and student interviews, creating open communication throughout the program.
• Assess the program in part through student progress, using rubrics for guidance. What skills were improved upon? What did the final project look like? How did students exceed the teachers' and mentors' expectations?
• Use academic records and comparison studies. For example, did student attendance improve? What about grades and standardized test scores? How do these results compare to students who didn't participate in the program?

Assessment Links

Check out these websites for more information about assessment of your own students and/or program.

Assessment Tools

Learn about the assessment tools used nationally by after-school programs.

• High/Scope Monitoring and Planning Tools
• Youth Services Tracking Application

State and International Standards and Benchmarks

Locate and review the standards for your state and subject.

• National Education Technology Standards
• Partnership for 21st Century Skills
• Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)