Pollinator Hotshots: A framework for Virtual Learning and Field Experiences during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The Coronavirus epidemic has altered many of the traditional methods to teach and lead a field experience. Creating innovative ways to lead a student team capable of completing both online and in the field research experiences requires new combinations of virtual tools and technology platforms. The Pollinator Hotshots is a hybrid team of virtual and in the field participants developed in a partnership with the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in Science (LSAMP) through Colorado State University's CO-WYO Alliance. Nine research interns (Hotshots) was split into two teams: Bug and Climate. Each team had clear goals and research questions based on selected locations in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem that includes Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks along with five National Forests. The Hotshots were divided into two teams (Bugs and Climate) that used virtual data sets to address the overall research questions. Students searched historic records from natural history collections, climate datasets including larger NOAA and weather station data, citizen science datasets such as iNaturalist and National Phenology Network. The two teams met regularly in goal structured virtual meetings that included team building activities along with science reading assignments. Team communication were based in apps such as Slack and EpiCollect--virtual data collection platforms that could be accessed through cellphones. The Pollinatorr Hotshot team demonstrates some of the challenges of maintaining a hybrid team with virtual and in-field participants during the COVID pandemic. Communication on the Slack Workspace and active data sharing between all members of the team was critical to maintain a sense of belonging to a diverse field team whether virtual or in person. Using collaborative online data sheets, messaging boards, and online meeting platforms proved to be vital in providing a sense of purpose for all team members working in the hybrid setting and such approaches can provide guidance on how to structure field experiences for undergraduate and diverse students during the coronavirus pandemic.