CLE Launch

The launch of the Seacoast Science Center's Community Science CLE resulted from a year's worth of meeting with local partners to gauge interest, pitching the idea at several conferences, and intentional networking. Their CLE focuses on creating educational experiences around climate and data literacy through the lens of community science. To this end, they deliberately engaged local partners involved in community science during the formation stage of the network. This included UNH Sea Grant and their team dedicated to volunteerism in coastal research, two local National Estuarine Research Reserves, local teachers and outdoor educators working on community science projects in their classrooms, and local libraries with interest in acting as a community hub for resources.

On April 11th of 2023, a group of 15 of these community partners was convened for the launch of the Seacoast Science Center's Community Science CLE. While many of the attendees were familiar with the CLE concept due to previous groundwork, Kate and Katie took the opportunity during the launch to demonstrate how they envisioned a network of this type working together. They used an adapted version of the Imagining Connected Learning card game developed by GMRI that focused on teaching community science related topics at various educational venues. They also used this activity as a way to initiate a conversation around network assets, and how different venues might supplement one another.

Following this activity, the group discussed what excited them about the Connected Learning Concept, and what they hoped to gain from the network. Most members were looking for opportunities to gain skills or experience with community science topics, as well as networking opportunities with other members interested in or performing this type of work. The whole group is looking forward to deepening their relationships in 2024 as well as implementing connected learning experiences.