ORAL PRESENTATION TITLE: Strengthening undergraduate science identity through the Dragonfly Mercury Project ABSTRACT: Student learning and science identity, or ‘seeing oneself situated as a member within the sciences,’ can be impacted positively when students participate in the investigation of novel research questions. Because of this, I engaged undergraduates in a community science project investigating mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation. Since 2011, the Dragonfly Mercury Project (DMP), a public engagement effort led by the U.S. National Park Service and USGS, has collected and analyzed dragonfly larvae for Hg bioaccumulation from >500 sites. From these data, researchers have determined that Hg levels in dragonfly larvae are positively correlated with levels in fish and amphibians, making them effective biosentinels for aquatic systems, including wetlands. Students read primary literature about Hg, including the scientific findings of the DMP team, and gained valuable insights about how wetlands play an important role in Hg methylation. Students applied their knowledge of aquatic systems with the available Hg data, generated research questions, and developed and tested their hypotheses to explain patterns of Hg accumulation. Also, students were invited to collect dragonfly larvae as part of the course. In response to this project, 100% of students (n=14) reported an increase in their process-of-science skills, 93% appreciated environmental science more and how it can relate to the general public, and 86% of students indicated that they are more confident in their ability to “think like a scientist.” Environment-focused community-science projects are an effective strategy to engage students in an authentic scientific endeavor with hands-on experiences that support their sense of science identity and appreciation of land stewardship. BIO: Tawnya Cary is an Associate Professor of Biology at Beloit College. She earned her bachelor's degree in biology at Iowa State University, Master's degree at the University of South Carolina, and PhD at UW-Madison studying aquatic ecotoxicology. Her research includes investigating how pollutants affect immune function in frogs and how students learn biology and develop a science identity.