A20 – Community Science Project Options for Monitoring Coastal Change Effects on the Boston Harbor Islands

Project:

Examining Community Science Project Options for Monitoring Coastal Change Effects on the Boston Harbor Islands,

by Dana Maloy, Isabelle Rhodes, Sam Vinson

Project overview:

The Boston Harbor Islands are places of special geological, historical, and natural significance. They are threatened by coastal change and climate change which could lead to damage or destruction if not anticipated. Community science programs have been successfully used in other areas to monitor impacts of coastal change while educating participants. Our project investigated important aspects of community science program design through interviews with program organizers and participants. Using our literature review and interview findings, we identified key aspects of community science program design and developed recommendations for community science programs that can serve as an early warning system for areas of the Boston Harbor Islands that are at risk of damage from coastal change.

About our team:

The team is comprised of Dana Maloy, Sam Vinson, and Issy Rhodes. Dana is a biomedical engineering (BME) student in her junior year at WPI. Sam is an aerospace engineering student in his junior year at WPI. Issy is a chemistry student in her junior year at WPI.

About our sponsor:

The National Parks of Boston, the sponsor of this project, is the Boston branch of the National Park Service, a federal government agency that focuses on preserving the historical and ecological integrity of important places across the country.  Their website is located at https://www.nps.gov/boha/index.htm