For Individuals or Groups (2–5 students per group) — Maximum points: 300 (1 entry per school)
YOUR CHALLENGE: Scientists have found that anole lizards throughout the Americas perch in many natural habitats, such as on trees, leaves, rocks, or on the ground. However as humans modify those habitats, they are also adding new types of perches for these lizards to live on, such as fences, walls, and poles. This year, students will assist the Lizards on the Loose scientists to investigate if lizards have a preference for natural or human-made perches. Students will conduct visual encounter surveys at their school or in their neighborhood and compile their observations and data into SchoolScapes. Downloadable PDF
ENTRY SUBMISSION: Monday, April 17, 2023 to Sunday, April 23, 2023
Electronically submit the following:
Scan and upload as ONE document (PDF file) to entry form includes:
| ✓ Entry Requirements: |
| | Schoolscape must be labeled with school name, student(s)’ name, and grade |
| | Anole lizard observations must be uploaded to Lizards on the Loose 2022 iNaturalist project so Lizards on the Loose scientists can identify them. Each school must have a minimum of 50 iNaturalist observations |
| | Schoolscape illustration must be an original, 2-Dimensional, hand-rendered artwork; colored/graphite pencil, ink, marker or watercolor only, no computer-generated designs |
| | Maximum schoolscape size 12” x 16” with a maximum of: 24 pages for SchoolScapes and 4 pages for analysis |
| | Bibliography cites 3 sources and follows MLA or APA format |
| | On-time entry submission (late entries may not receive points) |
TEACHER WORKSHOP: Saturday, December 3, 2022 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
During this workshop we will introduce educators to concepts and techniques needed to facilitate the Lizards on the Loose Challenge and provide teachers with knowledge and resources needed to successfully carryout this Challenge in the classroom. Space is limited, registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. – Registration Closed! Visit our Teacher Workshops page for more information.
Fairchild Challenge Workshop Introduction (PDF) – Updated Dec. 5, 2022
Lizards on the Loose 2022-2023 Research Protocol (PDF) – Updated Dec. 5, 2022
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
For more information on how your submission will be evaluated, see Challenge 5 Evaluation Sheet
STATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS:
This Challenge meets various state standards, visit Challenge 5 Benchmarks
CHALLENGE RESOURCES:
YouTube Channel: @LizardsontheLoose – Updated Dec. 2, 2022
Dr. James Stroud. Website: #LizardsontheLoose! Twitter: @jamesTstroud
Dr. Chris Thawley. Twitter: @cjbthawley
Dr. Jason J. Kolbe et. al.: Field Identification Guide for the Anole Lizards of Miami – Updated Nov. 22, 2022
Florida Museum: Florida Lizards
iNaturalist Resources
Getting started with iNaturalist
A Teachers Guide to iNaturalist
Video Tutorials
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
PNAS: Toward an international definition of citizen science
Nature: No PhDs needed: how citizen science is transforming research
