4-H Tick Project

Overview | Instructions for Participants | Sampling Site Map | In the News| Registration

The 4-H Tick Project is a community science project engaging K-12 youth and educators, made possible through a partnership between 4-H Youth Development, UMaine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab, Maine Forest Tick Survey, and members of the Learning Ecosystems Northeast partnership. The project provides youth an opportunity to explore ticks and tick-borne diseases, which is a connected story of climate, ecosystem change, and public health.

Educator dragging for tick collection through a grassy field
This photo is courtesy of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute as part of the Learning Ecosystems Northeast project

All K-12 educators interested in teaching about ticks in Maine are encouraged to participate in the project at no cost to you. If you are a formal classroom teacher, after-school educator, 4-H volunteer, outreach coordinator at a local organization, librarian, science center staff, or any other educator working with youth ages 5-18, this project is for you!

Instructions for Participants

The way the project works:

Educators conduct tick drags with youth participants to collect tick specimens in their local area. Specimens are returned to Hancock County 4-H, and then submitted to the UMaine Diagnostic Research Laboratory Tick Lab for identification and disease testing, which contributes to the lab’s Tick Surveillance program. Youth data also contribute to a community science (aka “citizen science”) project called the Maine Forest Tick Survey, which is a multiyear, multidisciplinary research project established to determine how forest land management practices impact tick populations and disease risk across Maine. Educators receive all test results from their sampling to use in activities with their youth. Project participants gain access to activity guides and lesson plans for facilitating engaging experiences with youth to learn about ticks in Maine.

Through the 4-H Tick Project, youth are engaged in real-world science and data exploration, and are contributing to important tick research efforts in Maine!

 

Tick ID activity for youth
This photo is courtesy of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute as part of the Learning Ecosystems Northeast project

What we provide:

Tick drag projects supplies are shown including a tick drag, tweezers, tick spoons, vials, and tick brochures
Tick Project Supplies

 

 

 

 

 

  • Tick Collection Supplies (tick drag, collection vials, data sheets, tweezers, safety checklists)
  • Instructional video and written protocol for how to conduct a tick drag
  • Identification and disease testing services through the UMaine Diagnostic Research Laboratory Tick Lab
  • Tick spoons and ID cards
  • Educational resources to facilitate engaging experiences with youth to learn about ticks in Maine
  • Phone, email, virtual and/or in-person support as needed

*Materials will be available for pickup at your local County Extension Office unless other arrangements are
made.*

Participant Responsibilities and Expectations:

  • Commit to sampling at least once in a single location in their local area with a group of youth (ideally it would be multiple locations over time – for example, sampling two different areas such as a woods trail and a grassy playground during spring, summer, and/or fall)
  • Follow all data collection protocols for tick dragging and sample collection (instructions are provided)
  • Ship or drop off samples to the designated location (Hancock County Extension Office in Ellsworth, other arrangements can be made)
  • Provide feedback and share your experiences with the project
  • Report participant data such as the number of youth reached, etc.

In the News

Interested?

If you are interested in participating in the 4-H Tick Project, please complete the form below and we will contact you to arrange the delivery of supplies. This is an ongoing project. Materials are available until supplies last.

4-H Tick Project

Name
School or Organization Address
I am a...
Please enter a number from 0 to 500.
PK-12 youth, typically ages 5-18

Sampling Logistics

If you do not know the answers to these questions yet, please leave them blank and we will coordinate logistics separately.
(youth collect in groups)
Please enter a number from 0 to 3.
Please enter a number from 0 to 10.
i.e. grassy field, woods, etc
What month(s) do you plan to sample? Check all that apply.

For more information or a reasonable accommodation, please contact Gabby Brodek, 4-H Youth Development Professional, at gabrielle.brodek@maine.edu or Emily Booth, 4-H Science Professional, at emily.booth@maine.edu.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under Cooperative Agreement No. NNX16AB94A issued through the Science Activation program at Science Mission Directorate.

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