Tumamoc Citizen-Scientists began as way to engage students and parents in the excitement of ongoing scientific research at Tumamoc Hill. We aim to increase the science literacy of all K-12 students, and to increase student achievement in science.
We offer a diverse variety of science field classes, where students learn that science is a dynamic process of gathering and evaluating information, look for patterns, and then devise and test possible explanations. Students also have an opportunity for public presentation of their findings.
This outreach program is innovative in that schoolchildren become the scientists, not just learn about scientific concepts. We want to make science accessible and relevant to the students, their parents, and the general public.
We are now scheduling classes for Spring 2013. Please call 520. 629.9455 or email pamela(at)email(dot)arizona(dot)edu to sign up for your Tumamoc experience today!
Our field classes are free. We adapt our innovative approach to work with teachers and students of all ages and grade levels, depending on the needs of your students. We offer fifteen (15) classes a month per topic, with each field class tailored to the needs of each school and teacher. Please click here to download the Spring 2013 Tumamoc Citizen Science Field Class schedule as a PDF . Please call 520. 629.9455 or email pamela(at)email(dot)arizona(dot)edu to sign up for your Tumamoc experience today!
Archaeology classes offered Wednesday, January 9, 2013 through February 25, 2013
Cultural History and Archaeology:
Class focus is on agave plants and how prehistoric Hohokam people used agaves for food and fiber. During an interactive presentation highlighting the different agave plants (and other native desert foods), students will explore the methods for cooking and creating fiber from agaves. Out in the field, students will visit the historic agave fields and learn how the native people grew agaves at Tumamoc. Students will also try their hands at recreating a rock terrace and agave field, using traditional rock tools just like the native people did.
Investigating Artifacts: Uncovering the Past through Middens:
The science of archaeology often focuses on old village sites known as “middens”. Middens are deposits that people have left behind, the remains of settlements, the “garbage dumps” of long lost communities. In this session, students will examine “middens” representing sites of prehistoric Hohokam people at Tumamoc. After a demonstration of the procedures that will be used to excavate the site, teams of students act as archaeologists working together to excavate objects form the layers of the soil in shoe box “middens”.
Students learn that materials discarded or lost by people long ago can provide valuable clues for reconstructing a picture of an earlier culture. While practicing the methods of archaeologists, students infer information from objects, group objects, and share drawings and explanations from clues of the past.
Geology classes offered February 25, 2013 through March 25, 2013 (No classes offered Sat-Sun, March 9-17, 2013).
Geology of Tumamoc:
Students learn about the geology of Tumamoc and the Tucson Basin, beginning with plate tectonics and volcanoes. They will study rock types (focusing on igneous rocks), and learn to distinguish between intrusive and extrusive rocks. While practicing the methods of geologists out in the field, students infer information from rocks, group rocks, and share drawings and explanations found at Tumamoc. Back in the classroom, it’s time to study and compare ancient fossils and dinosaur bones.
Ecology classes offered March 25, 2013 through May 9, 2013
Ecology: Cactus Surveys:
Students will survey cactus species and perform a spatial analysis of the plants. Students will calculate plant densities in plots and analyze their results. This class expands students’ biological understanding of life by focusing on the characteristics of living things, the diversity of life, and how organisms and populations change over time. We will also visit the Tumamoc study plots and learn about the significance of study areas.
Ecology: Species, Slope, & Soil:
Students will survey cactus & perennial shrubs species and will calculate plant densities in plots and compare results. A soil analysis will be conducted. Students will also determine the slope within their plot and use this information to analyze the vegetation densities within each plot. Students will do an analysis of their data set and look at patterns across the landscape in terms of elevation gradients.
[...] K-12 Citizen Scientists [...]
[...] K-12 Citizen Scientists [...]