East Texas A&M University alum Jill Nugent and colleagues will have an educational book published through Harvard Education Press on February 9, 2027. 

Nugent graduated from ETAMU in 2003 with her Master of Science in Biological Sciences. Her graduate education provided an important foundation for how she thinks about science and learning, and for how she shares them with others. Her graduate study experience immersed her in a process of asking questions, investigating systems, gathering and interpreting evidence, and continually refining what is known about the natural world.

The Educator’s Guide to Citizen Science: Engaging Students as Change Makers focuses on helping educators integrate citizen science into teaching and learning and closely reflects Nugent's ongoing professional work at the intersection of 21^st-century science and learning, community engagement and real-world experiential connections.

With citizen science, a classroom can become a “living lab,” a place where students investigate meaningful questions, contribute to real scientific knowledge, collaborate with scientists and community partners, and connect what they are learning to issues that matter in their own lives and communities.

Through the book, Nugent hopes to inspire educators to create authentic science experiences. Alongside Nugent were her co-authors:

• Dr. Brittney Beck – California State University, Bakersfield
• Darlene Cavalier – Arizona State University
• Jennifer Fee – Cornell University’s Skorton Center for Health Initiatives
• Dr. Lisa Milenkovic – Broward County Public Schools

“Our goal is to help educators transform classrooms into places where curiosity drives learning and students actively participate in scientific discovery,” Nugent said. “This book is a thank you to educators who know that every learner deserves the opportunity to participate in science and make a difference.”