City Science Quest

• Engage participants in exploring a STEM concept or career in a fun and engaging manner. Special consideration given to missions that highlight STEM concepts/careers at work in metro Atlanta (e.g., include profile of STEM professional and ask participant to do an activity similar to that person’s job; or share a research project being conducted in Atlanta and ask participant to interpret data). We envision the Quest as an opportunity to highlight local discoveries, innovations, and careers in STEM fields – so we need YOUR help to craft engaging missions to do so.
• Require participants to submit one of the following response types as evidence of mission completion: text, photo, video, or GPS check-in. Note: photos/videos must be taken live within the app – they cannot be uploaded from previously taken or downloaded files.
• Can be completed without violating the CDC-recommended social-distancing and mask-wearing practices with people outside of the participants’ households (e.g., do not ask participants to take a selfie with a stranger).
• Can be completed by participants ages 8 and up. Participants on the younger end of that scale could complete the task with assistance from adults, if needed.
• Can be accomplished at participant’s home or neighborhood, with readily available materials. A small number of GPS location-based check-in missions will be accepted – these would require a participant to “check-in” at a certain location, and will need to ensure proper social-distancing and mask-wearing.
• Include accompanying photo and description. Can include a link to external information.

Species – Nicole Gerardo, Ph.D. is a biologist at Emory University who studies how different species interact with one another like how leaf-cutter ants grow fungus for food, and how bacteria protect worms. Click the link below to check out some of her research projects. Now, take a photo of two or more different species interacting in your house or neighborhood. In the caption, let us know what the species are and if you think the interaction is beneficial or harmful.

Chemistry in your house – A lot of household items have chemicals in them. But what are they? Look at the label of any household item (cleaning supply, food, etc.). Can you tell what some of the chemicals are? Choose one to learn about. Find 2 facts about it. Bonus Points: Why do you think it is in your item?

Draw your Career – Imagine you’ve hopped in a time machine and now you’re 10 years in the future. Think about one possible career you’re interested in. What does that look like? Draw a quick sketch of yourself in that career. For example: have you ever thought about studying plants? Draw yourself exploring plants. Maybe you’ll find a cure for cancer? Draw yourself finding that cure!

Once your mission is published to the GooseChase app, this is what it will look like. The image on the left shows the mission list with name and teaser visible. The image on the right shows the mission page that you see after clicking on a mission. Note the mission photo and attached link – only one of each is permitted. The photo gets slightly cropped in the app, but expands if you click on it.