Increasing science literacy among English language learners through plant phenological monitoring: A citizen science program at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Phenological monitoring by elementary students has been found to enhance science literacy among English language learners, and will benefit the parks research efforts as scientists strive to understand global climate change impacts on park resources and the community. The “Kids in Nature” phenological monitoring curriculum developed by scientists from the University of California at Santa Barbara was evaluated to determine best practices for implementing a resource-based phenological monitoring curriculum for English language learners in Tulare County public schools. This evaluation included an analysis of the efficacy of the Santa Barbara program and identification of the most effective methods for executing phenological monitoring with students. This study provided Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks' Rangers in the Classroom program educators with sufficient data to begin development of SPROUTS (Student Phenologists Researching Oaks to Understand Trees and Science), a plant phenological monitoring program. This collaboration of UCSB scientists and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks’ resource professionals provided a framework for curriculum development that will meet the educational standards required by state and national entities, while also meeting the needs of the linguistically diverse student body that currently participate in Rangers in the Classroom programs.