West Virginia State University is part of a collaboration of statewide institutions promoting retention of first generation students. This collaboration, known as the First2 Network, hosted virtual summer programs across the region engaging rising college freshman in different types of hands on research projects. WVSU took part in citizen science type projects sending out kits to collect data from across the region and then analyzing the samples using calibrated lab instruments. Participating students with the support of a senior mentor analyzed their data to examine the accuracy of untrained students and experienced lab professionals. Students found limitations in the equipment used in data collection, methods of data sampling, identification of samples, and explanation of what the data means. The participants got to analyze the environments from where they live bringing that knowledge close to home.

Engaging rising freshman through citizen science

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.