SCI 101: NatureHood Assignment Guide

Welcome to the NatureHood Project!

Welcome to the first step of your NatureHood Project journey! This page will guide you through the purpose of the project and how to get started with observing and exploring the natural and built environment around you.

Purpose of the Project

The NatureHood Project is an exciting opportunity to connect with your local environment and explore the scientific questions that interest you. Your “NatureHood” is the nature that exists in your surrounding urban neighborhood—this could be your street, a local park, your backyard, or any outdoor space near where you live. The goal is to observe, ask questions, and conduct research that contributes to our understanding of these environments, while practicing scientific thinking and the basics of scientific research.

What Will You Do?

Over the course of this project, you will:

1. Make Observations: Spend time in your neighborhood or another outdoor area observing both the natural and human-made elements around you.
2. Ask Questions: Based on your observations, you’ll develop a scientific research question that you are curious about and that is feasible to explore.
3. Collect Data: Over the next few weeks, you will gather data and background information related to your research question.
4. Create a Scientific Poster: Your findings and reflections will be compiled into a scientific poster that you will present at the end of the semester.

Why Observe Your NatureHood?

Our urban environments are rich with natural elements and human impact, offering a unique intersection of ecology, biology, and environmental science. By observing your local area, you’ll gain insights into how natural and unnatural elements interact and how you can contribute to understanding and improving these environments.

Getting Started: Key Tips

• Start with an Open Mind: You don’t need to have a research question in mind right away. Begin by simply observing and noting what captures your attention.
• Safety First: Choose a safe time and location for your observations. Avoid extreme weather conditions and unfamiliar areas, especially at night.
• Be Present: Limit distractions during your observation time. Silence your phone, take out your earbuds, and focus on what’s around you.

Assignment Overview

For this project, you will:

1. Identify a scientific question related to your NatureHood.
2. Conduct observations and collect data over 1-2 weeks.
3. Review scientific literature to gain background knowledge on your topic.
4. Create a scientific poster summarizing your research question, methods, findings, and conclusions.

You are not limited to studying only your urban environment, but that is where we will begin. Use this starting point to discover what interests you and where your curiosity might lead.

Good luck, and enjoy exploring your NatureHood!