Free lecture: "Engaging Young Children As Active Researchers: Our Experience in the Forest"
September 21, 2015
The University of Alaska Fairbanks will host a free public lecture, "Engaging Young
Children As Active Researchers: Our Experience in the Forest," Wednesday, Sept. 30,
at 5:30 p.m. in Schaible Auditorium. Parking on campus is free after 5 p.m.
Carie Green, assistant professor with the UAF School of Education's graduate program,
will give the presentation, which is part of the monthly research showcase hosted
by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity.
This past summer, partnering with teachers and staff at the Bunnell House Early Lab
School, Green engaged 30 3-to-5-year-old children in the project. The goal was to
explore methods for engaging young children as active researchers in all aspects of
the research process, including: posing a research question, selecting data collection
methods, collecting data, analyzing and interpreting findings, and presenting findings
to community members. The children wore Go-Pro cameras, took photos with iPads, created
art, built models, and engaged in role-playing to explore theirs and their peers'
experiences of exploring the forest, including bugs, castles, forts and rosebushes.
Each child analyzed and interpreted their findings through making a page for a book,
providing an opportunity for them to richly describe and recall their experiences
through photos and art. The project culminated with a presentation in the forest,
giving them an opportunity to show and tell about their engagement in social science
research.
CONTACT: Kate Pendelton, 907-457-8772, klpendleton@alaska.edu