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About Us
YLACES is an advocate for the inclusion of student research in all science education. To learn science,
do science.
Advocacy
Dixon Butler
Founder, President
Dixon Butler, Founder and President of YLACES, is a consultant on a wide range of science-related areas. His deep expertise includes science and information system management, satellite mission planning, STEM and environmental education, budget and appropriations, remote sensing, energy, environment, nuclear, science, and space policy.
Ann Davison
Treasurer
Ann Davison has an accomplished career as a communications and public affairs advisor to elected officials, government program officers, corporate executives, trade association and nonprofit leaders.
Jen Anderson
Board Member
Jen helps organizations create strategic programs and communications campaigns to advance their missions.
Nadisha Clayton
Board Member
Nadisha Clayton is a science educator at Laurel High School located in Prince George's County, Maryland. Nadisha has been in the classroom for over 13 years and has a passion for helping students develop an interest and appreciation of science and the environment.
David Padgett
Board Member
David A. Padgett is an Associate Professor of Geography and Director of the Geographic and Information Sciences Laboratory at Tennessee State University. He is the winner of its sixth annual Youth Environmental Science (YES) Medal.
Elena Takaki
Board Member
Elena currently serves as Director of Professional Development and Conservation Education at the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies.
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Keith Wheeler
Secretary Emeritus
Keith is the principal of Wheeler Consultancy, an international Climate Change and ESG advisory service. He was president of the Brandwein Institute, and chair IUCN (CEC), and retired CEO ZedX Inc. Keith has over 40 years of professional experience in sustainability and conservation research, communication, education, policy and practice.
Rebecca Boger
Member Emeritus
Becky Boger is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Urban Sustainability Program at Brooklyn College, City University of New York (CUNY). She has a background in geospatial technologies, environmental science, and science education.
Why do we need YLACES?
Democracy in the 21st Century requires a citizenry prepared to ask questions and use data to make well-reasoned choices about the issues confronting society. The path to acquiring this skill goes beyond learning scientific facts and conducting previously documented laboratory experiments, to acquiring scientific habits of mind through doing hands-on, observational research. YLACES works to enable and promote the inclusion of student research in science education.
Why focus on youth?
Young minds need to experience the scientific approach of developing hypotheses, taking careful, reproducible measurements, and reasoning with data. Inquiries should begin early and grow in quality and sophistication as learners progress in literacy, numeracy, and understanding social interactions and society. In addition to fostering critical thinking skills, active engagement in scientific research at an early age also builds skills in mathematics and communications
Why focus on the environment?
To understand our changing environment, frequent, detailed observations are needed to build robust datasets and models to guide decision-making. By participating in environmental citizen science, youth can help meet this need, and they appreciate the chance to contribute to the scientific community while they learn and mature. Today, affordable, consumer-friendly technologies such as smart phones, hand-held GPS devices, and inexpensive scientific instruments allow individual citizen scientists to contribute meaningful, reliable environmental measurements. This capability is already demonstrated in bird watching, stream monitoring, and the GLOBE Program among other intiatives. By contributing to the creation of a young army of scientific observers, YLACES extends the reach of professional research and monitoring systems such as NASA and NOAA satellites.
The environment offers a wealth of topics appropriate for student research including ones comprehensible by young students. The means are available and readily affordable for youth to participate in both formal and informal learning situations to do research projects.
Our Approach
YLACES makes grants of equipment, materials, and supplies to those engaging youth in environmental citizen science taking and reporting data for scientific use. This initiates students in doing science as well as taking advantage of their desire to make meaningful contributions to our knowledge of the Earth and its systems.
Students are encouraged to go beyond observing to doing research projects and experiencing the scientific method. YLACES sponsors Student Research Symposia where students complete the research process by presenting their results and learning from peer and professional feedback on their work. This also rewards students by giving them a chance to be part of a community of fellow learners.
US environmental educators and organizations may apply for grants of up to $5,000 for local student research symposia (SRS). The local SRS supported by YLACES is to be based on the GLOBE regional SRS model but instead should be one-day events with student participants drawn from a school, school district(s), a locale, or a small region. During the SRS, there should be peer-to-peer reviews and the opportunity for students to talk with STEM professionals about their research.
YLACES also funds creative ideas and systemic initiatives to incorporate student research into science instruction, recognizes sustained contributions to youth doing environmental science through the annual awards of the YES Medal and accompanying grant and advocating for youth learning science by doing science.
YLACES works in partnership with others seeking to advance a vision of effective science education and give voice to the communities and organizations that implement youth learning through environmental citizen science.
Lee Coykendall
Executive Director
Works to support YLACES in its mission to support students and teachers doing science, talking science, and engaging scientifically with their communities.
Contact Lee
Sara Gabriel
Data Analytics Consultant
Works with YLACES to track and analyze grant reporting.
Contact Sara
