Rare events offer unique opportunities to engage communities in science education and outreach

Rare natural phenomenological events, such as the 17-year Magicidada emergence, offer unique opportunities to increase our understanding of the natural world as well as introduce scientific concepts to future generations of science citizens. Many communities across the United States have organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA), an organization whose mission is to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive and responsible citizens. The BGCA helps members plan for their future by promoting safe, positive, and inclusive learning environments for all, supporting youth and teens of every race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, ability, socio-economic status, and religion. By partnering with widespread and inclusive community organizations such as BGCA, scientists can engage with younger members of the community with the shared goal of enhancing understanding of local ecology and rare events. In the summer of 2021, Brood X experienced their 17-year emergence, with a high density occurring in Bloomington, Indiana. The emergence of Brood X provided an exclusive opportunity to study the effects of limited insect emergences on long-lived tree species while engaging with younger members of the Bloomington community to collect observational data. We utilized an urban park with a high density of cicada emergence holes at the base of several different eastern US deciduous tree species. Together with student members of the BGCA, we quantified emergence holes and cicada husks to determine if Brood X demonstrated preferential selection of tree species. We also collected biometric data (e.g., diameter at breast height and tree height) to explore relationships between tree size and cicada tree selection. Beyond data collection, this experience helped humanize research and the scientists conducting it while empowering BGCA members to employ scientific thinking to real-world scenarios. Collaborating with organizations like BGCA can help turn rare ecological events into lasting community connections to nature while making contributions to long-term ecological research.