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INFOGRAPHIC

INFOGRAPHIC

Training Machines Together

Training Machines Together

Machine learning relies on algorithms—or sets of instructions—that a model uses to identify patterns. This can be a great tool to enhance citizen science, as shown in this example featuring iNaturalist.

Grades

5 - 8

Subjects

Conservation, Experiential Learning

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Brought to you by
California State University, Bakersfield

Machine learning is a form of artificial intelligence where computers use data to learn new things. Share the infographic with students and ask them to describe machine learning in their own words. Then ask them to explain how iNaturalist uses machine learning to identify different species of organisms. Ask: How can machine learning contribute to citizen science?

Have students work in small groups to research machine learning online. Ask them to find at least one additional example, other than iNaturalist, of how machine learning contributes to citizen science and present their findings to each other. Then ask them to envision a new citizen science project that uses machine learning and create an infographic to describe that project.

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Produced by
Director
Mary Ford, National Geographic Society
On-site Project Manager
Anne Haywood, Mountain to Sea Education
Reviewers
Dr. Brittney Beck, California State University, Bakersfield
Peg Keiner, 31 Days of Citizen Science
Kerryanne Monahan, Saint Edward's School
Last Updated

March 21, 2024

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