The Sciencenter is pleased to announce the installation of a new series of Science by the Stream trailside signage along the Cascadilla Creek pedestrian pathway in the Fall Creek neighborhood alongside the museum. Developed with local middle school students and community partners, the outdoor exhibit invites visitors to discover the plants, animals, and ecosystems that make Cascadilla Creek a vital community resource.
The Sciencenter created the signage with its year-long Future Science Leaders (FSL) program, which engaged 26 middle school students in field investigations of Cascadilla Creek. Participants monitored stream health, documented biodiversity using iNaturalist, worked alongside Community Science Institute (CSI) scientists, and collaborated with the Sciencenter’s exhibit team to help design and develop content for the interpretive signage. Many of the photographs featured on the panels came directly from student iNaturalist observations.
The project was designed to help youth become science communicators and environmental stewards while inviting the public to participate in community science by contributing observations to the new Science by the Stream iNaturalist project.
“Collaborating with the Future Science Leaders is always an adventure,” said Adrienne Testa, Director of Exhibits & Facilities. “Their perspectives and ideas make this project particularly unique. The FSLs were inspired by 18th-century naturalist journals filled with sketches, ideas, and observations. That inspiration heavily influenced the design of the new panels and sets this project apart from other exhibits at the Sciencenter.”
“It’s always rewarding to see what young people respond to as they find their own ways to make their mark,” said Angela Damery, Director of Education. “This project allowed our Future Science Leaders to contribute in a variety of ways, depending on their strengths and interests. Some were excited to shape the design and messaging of the panels, while others were more enthusiastic about getting out to the creek and exploring the environment.”
The Science by the Stream project was made possible through collaboration among the Sciencenter, Future Science Leaders, the Community Science Institute, local artist Travis DeMello, and was supported by the Association of Science and Technology Centers’ Seeding Action grant with the iNaturalist community of practice.