Developers of the citizen science-based program, Driven to Discover, will present a work shop Oct. 10-12. The workshop will be held at Treehaven, a natural resources education, conference and research center located between Tomahawk and Rhinelander.
Driven to Discover uses citizen science experiences as a springboard into science research projects for youth ages 10-16. This new program is designed for settings such as nature centers, youth programs, museums and after school programs.
Citizen science is a way for everyone to learn how to collect information about the natural world and then share that information and contribute to scientific databases. Citizen scientists might record species of birds they see in specific locations, or they might record monarch butterfly eggs on milkweed plants. There are many citizen science projects to choose from. 
Driven to Discover was designed and field tested by educators at the University of Minnesota Extension and the University of Minnesota’s Monarch Lab. In the workshop participants will learn how to implement the program, techniques for mentoring youth to do original ecology research and how to recruit, train and support volunteer adults to lead youth research clubs.
A National Science Foundation grant pays for workshop training materials and instruction. There is a modest cost for food and lodging at Treehaven. Lodging and food is $155 for the weekend. Commuters may attend for $60, which includes all meals excluding breakfast.
The workshop will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday and end at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Treehaven is located at W2540 Pickerel Creek Road, Tomahawk, WI 54487. For more information, call 715-453-4106.