i•m•science investigations
i•m•science investigations entail using interviews and observations to collect data, and reporting your findings to our online i•m•science databases. The databases are used for education and research.

Why the name “i•m•science?”
i•m•science means I Am Science. Youth and community members can contribute to science in important ways.

i•m•science means Information Mosaics science. The small "i" has become a universal symbol for information. The "m" refers to the mosaics of plants, planting practices, people, and cultures in community and other gardens.

Finally, i•m•science means International Mosaics science. We invite youth, gardeners, and volunteers from all over the world to share their knowledge of plants and growing practices, and of the role gardens play in their communities.

Why participate in i•m•science?
i•m•science investigations can be conducted for two purposes: to add to the online databases and as educational activities for youth and adults.

i•m•science databases
Through sharing the results and photos of your i•m•science investigations using the online databases, you are helping to create a beautiful website that is used for education and research. You also can contact Garden Mosaics about posting the database reports from your city or region on your own website, so that they will help spread the word about your own
programs.

i•m•science youth programs
Through conducting i•m•science investigations with elder gardeners, youth form positive relationships with local role models. They also develop interviewing, observation, and data recording skills, and make important contributions to their community.

i•m•science investigations
The four i•m•science investigations are Gardener Story, Community Garden Inventory, Neighborhood Exploration, and Weed Watch.

Gardener Story
Participants develop an oral history and take photographs illustrating a gardener's planting practices and "planting tips," and the connections between those practices and the gardener’s culture. The gardener can be from a community, home, or school garden. The Gardener Stories provide a rich educational resource for visitors to our website.

Community Garden Inventory
Participants take a walk through a community garden with an experienced gardener. They ask the gardener questions and make their own observations about the plants, structures, and activities in the garden. You can use our online Community Garden Inventory Form to catalog all the gardens in your city. This i•m•science investigation also can be conducted in school gardens that include community involvement.

Neighborhood Exploration
Participants use aerial photographs, maps, and a walk through their neighborhood to see where besides the garden people can find fresh food and places for talking with friends, relaxing, enjoying nature, and cultural and educational events. They then produce a neighborhood collage using photos and maps, and share their results online using the Neighborhood Exploration Form.

Weed Watch
Participants survey weeds in urban home, community, or school vegetable gardens, and catalog the methods gardeners use to control weeds. They enter their data into the three Weed Watch Forms and submit their forms online. Cornell scientist Antonio DiTommaso is using the data to develop
environmentally-sound methods for controlling urban weeds.