Energetic, motivated citizens offer a largely untapped supply of talent that the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center’s archaeology laboratory harnesses to conduct original scientific research into human impacts on the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Volunteer scientists do more than assist scientists: They are the scientists, developing and implementing research designs, analyzing data, and documenting results through report writing and professional conference presentations. This talk highlights three of nearly 20 such projects, and discusses some of the history of the Java Plantation house found on the SERC's Contee Farm.

This talk is part of SERC's "Science and History on the Bay" winter evening lecture series. Lectures start at 7pm; light refreshments at 6:30. Free and open to all!