ABI Section A 2025: It begins

A jam-packed schedule for day one of the course. Marshall introduced the course logistics and our overall goal of performing a great ecology research project. We set up our digital workspaces (R, Google Drive, Zotero, and Slack) and even had some time to take some quick field trips. We also learned everyone's names and hobbies, which may come in handy for our project if it ends up requiring baking, running, slam dunks, music, a killer tennis serve, Tokyo drifting in fancy cars, reality tv, painting, or woodworking. Here are the minutes:


ABI 198- Animal Ecology in the Field

During class, head Chef Marshall 🍳 introduced all us line cooks to the secret recipe for a great ecology research project:

1. A Field site

2. Methods

3. Study organism

4. Question

Over the next few weeks students will explore various fields sites and learn about different methods we could use for our project. Chef Marshall also shared his recipe for what makes an excellent research project, more broadly:

1 part Innovation mixed with equal parts Importance and Feasibility. If we do these first three parts well, do you think we ought to let others know about our work? Yes, Chef! So communication also comes in at the end of the dish. Keep these in mind as you cook up your own ideas! 


One of our excursions was over to the BOG to practice taking careful observations. Here are some photos:








Reminders!

For next class everyone should come prepared by:

1. Reading chapters 1 and 2 of How to Do Ecology

2. Reading this blog (good job so far!) 

3. Finishing R homework 1

4. Read 1 paper in the Zotero shared library and post one comment or idea that it sparks on slack

5. Update your reflection board as you spend time on things outside of class

6. Bring a notebook and pencil to our next meeting

7. Resolve and digital issues you might be having (As always, questions in the slack are welcome!)


We will be meeting in the parking lot near Briggs on Friday at 10am. Here is a picture:


 

From there we will be heading over to Bee Biology to practice more observations in the pollinator garden.


Here is the planned schedule:

10am- meet at parking lot 26 and leave for bee bio

10:15- solo walks and observations at the garden and surrounding area

10:35- paired or small group observation sessions

11:00- Group discussion on observations, ideas, and any comments or ideas from the slack from the week

11:25- Brainstorm agenda for next class

11:40: Head back to campus


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