Living Lab Onboarding Guide

Ubuntu Bioregional Economic Commons (UBEC) Protocol

"I am because we are" — Ubuntu Philosophy

Welcome to the Living Lab Network!

Your institution is joining a pioneering network of schools, universities, and educational centers that are transforming how we learn about and interact with our living world. As a UBEC Living Lab, you become both a site of discovery and a beacon for your community — demonstrating that environmental stewardship and education are inseparable.

What is a Living Lab?

A UBEC Living Lab is an educational institution that:

• Monitors local ecosystems using sensors and citizen science methodologies
• Integrates environmental data collection into curriculum and learning
• Contributes valuable bioregional data to the broader UBEC network
• Connects students with their local environment and food systems
• Inspires the next generation of regenerative practitioners

Your campus becomes a living classroom where nature is both teacher and subject.

The Living Lab Vision

From Passive Learning to Active Stewardship

Traditional environmental education often happens in isolation — a chapter in a textbook, a documentary in class. Living Labs transform this by making students active participants in understanding and caring for their bioregion.

When a student checks soil moisture data they helped collect, analyzes rainfall patterns from their school's weather station, or tracks bird populations in their schoolyard, they develop a relationship with place that no textbook can provide.

Data That Matters

The data your Living Lab collects isn't just for learning exercises — it contributes to a bioregional data commons that:

• Supports local farmers in making decisions
• Tracks ecosystem health over time
• Validates regenerative practices
• Builds a living portrait of your bioregion

Your students become citizen scientists whose work has real-world impact.

The Four Elements in Your Living Lab

🌬️ Air — Atmosphere & Communication

What You Monitor: Air quality, wind patterns, temperature, humidity

Learning Connections: - Weather and climate science - Air quality and public health - Atmospheric chemistry - Data visualization and communication

Sample Projects: - Build and calibrate weather stations - Track seasonal temperature patterns - Monitor air quality during different conditions - Create weather reports for the community

💧 Water — Hydrology & Flow

What You Monitor: Rainfall, soil moisture, water quality, groundwater levels

Learning Connections: - Watershed science - Water chemistry and biology - Hydrological cycles - Conservation and management

Sample Projects: - Map your school's watershed - Test water quality in local streams - Track rainfall and soil absorption - Design rainwater harvesting systems

🌍 Earth — Soil & Biodiversity

What You Monitor: Soil health, plant growth, species counts, land use

Learning Connections: - Soil science and geology - Ecology and biodiversity - Agriculture and food systems - Land use planning

Sample Projects: - Conduct soil health assessments - Create biodiversity inventories - Establish phenology monitoring (seasonal changes) - Design and maintain school gardens

🔥 Fire — Energy & Transformation

What You Monitor: Solar radiation, energy use, carbon cycles, decomposition

Learning Connections: - Energy science - Carbon cycles and climate - Decomposition and nutrient cycling - Renewable energy systems

Sample Projects: - Track solar energy potential - Monitor composting processes - Calculate carbon footprints - Design energy efficiency improvements

Sensor Equipment Options

Based on your allocation and needs, select from these sensor categories:

Basic Package (5,000-10,000 UBEC)

Standard Package (10,000-18,000 UBEC)

Includes Basic Package plus:

Advanced Package (18,000-25,000 UBEC)

Includes Standard Package plus:

Curriculum Integration

By Grade Level

Primary School (Ages 5-10)

• Nature journaling and observation
• Simple weather tracking
• Garden monitoring and care
• Seasonal change documentation
• Basic data collection (counting, measuring)

Middle School (Ages 11-14)

• Systematic data collection protocols
• Introduction to sensors and technology
• Basic data analysis and graphing
• Ecosystem connections and food webs
• Scientific method application

High School (Ages 15-18)

• Advanced data analysis and statistics
• Sensor calibration and maintenance
• Research project design
• Scientific writing and presentation
• Community outreach and education

University/College

• Research methodology
• Advanced statistical analysis
• Sensor network design
• Publication and peer review
• Community-based research

Cross-Curricular Connections

Getting Started

Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-4)

Week 1: Team Assembly

• [ ] Identify Living Lab Coordinator (primary contact)
• [ ] Assemble teacher team (2-4 interested educators)
• [ ] Brief school administration on the program
• [ ] Connect with your assigned UBEC mentor

Week 2: Site Assessment

• [ ] Walk your campus with observation eyes
• [ ] Identify potential monitoring locations
• [ ] Document existing environmental features
• [ ] Note infrastructure (power, WiFi, accessibility)

Week 3: Planning

• [ ] Review sensor options with your mentor
• [ ] Select equipment based on curriculum goals
• [ ] Draft installation plan
• [ ] Create timeline for implementation

Week 4: Preparation

• [ ] Order/receive equipment
• [ ] Prepare installation sites
• [ ] Begin staff training
• [ ] Communicate with students and parents

Phase 2: Installation (Weeks 5-8)

Week 5-6: Equipment Setup

• [ ] Install sensors with technical support
• [ ] Test data transmission
• [ ] Calibrate equipment
• [ ] Document installation locations

Week 7-8: System Integration

• [ ] Connect to UBEC data platform
• [ ] Verify data quality
• [ ] Train teachers on data access
• [ ] Create maintenance schedule

Phase 3: Integration (Weeks 9-12)

Week 9-10: Curriculum Launch

• [ ] Introduce Living Lab to students
• [ ] Begin first data collection activities
• [ ] Start nature journaling practice
• [ ] Establish student roles and responsibilities

Week 11-12: Community Connection

• [ ] Host community open house
• [ ] Connect with local farmers or communities
• [ ] Share first data stories
• [ ] Establish ongoing communication rhythm

Data Protocols

Collection Standards

To ensure your data contributes meaningfully to the bioregional commons:

Consistency - Collect at regular intervals (automated sensors help!) - Use standardized units and formats - Document any anomalies or equipment issues

Quality - Calibrate sensors according to schedule - Cross-check unusual readings - Maintain equipment properly - Document data collection methods

Context - Record relevant conditions (weather, events) - Note any site changes or disturbances - Document observer information for manual observations

Data Sharing

Your data flows into three pools:

1. Your Living Lab — Full access to all your data for learning
2. Bioregional Commons — Aggregated data shared with network
3. Public Dashboard — Summary visualizations for community

You maintain ownership of your data while contributing to collective knowledge.

Student Roles

Engage students as active participants, not just observers:

Data Stewards

• Check sensor readings daily
• Report anomalies to teachers
• Maintain data logs

Equipment Technicians

• Assist with sensor maintenance
• Learn calibration procedures
• Troubleshoot issues

Field Researchers

• Conduct manual observations
• Lead nature walks and surveys
• Document biodiversity

Communications Team

• Create reports for community
• Manage social media updates
• Design data visualizations

Garden/Grounds Crew

• Maintain monitoring sites
• Care for school gardens
• Support outdoor classroom spaces

Community Access

Your Living Lab serves your broader community:

Open Data

• Public dashboard with real-time readings
• Downloadable data for community researchers
• Integration with local farmer networks

Site Visits

• Schedule community observation days
• Host farmer field days
• Welcome homeschool groups

Knowledge Sharing

• Student presentations at community events
• Workshop facilitation for community members
• Collaboration with local environmental groups

Partnerships

Consider partnering with: - Local farms (share data, field trips) - Environmental organizations (expertise, volunteers) - Libraries and museums (public programs) - Government agencies (official monitoring networks) - Other schools (peer learning)

Support & Resources

Your UBEC Support Team

Living Lab Mentor - Assigned upon approval - Monthly check-in calls - Curriculum guidance - Technical support coordination

Technical Support - Equipment troubleshooting - Data platform assistance - Sensor calibration support

Network Coordinator - Connection with other Living Labs - Resource sharing facilitation - Event coordination

Resource Library

Access through your Living Lab dashboard:

• Lesson plans by grade level and subject
• Data collection protocols
• Equipment manuals and guides
• Student activity worksheets
• Assessment rubrics
• Community presentation templates

Peer Network

• Monthly Living Lab Calls — Share experiences with other institutions
• Regional Clusters — Connect with nearby Living Labs
• Annual Gathering — Network-wide learning event
• Online Forum — Ongoing discussion and support

Reporting & Evaluation

Monthly

• Data quality check
• Equipment status report
• Brief activity summary

Quarterly

• Curriculum integration progress
• Student engagement metrics
• Community access statistics
• Challenges and support needs

Annually

• Comprehensive program review
• Student learning outcomes
• Data contribution summary
• Goals for upcoming year

Holonic Evaluation

Your Living Lab will be evaluated across Ubuntu principles:

Funding & Allocation

Initial Allocation

Ongoing Support

After Year 1, Living Labs may apply for:

• Equipment upgrades or expansion
• Special project funding
• Professional development for teachers
• Community outreach initiatives

In-Kind Contributions

Your institution contributes:

• Staff time for coordination
• Site and infrastructure access
• Student participation
• Community connections
• Local knowledge and expertise

Troubleshooting

Common Challenges

"We don't have technical expertise." → UBEC provides technical support for installation and maintenance. Many sensors are designed for educational settings and require minimal technical knowledge.

"Our curriculum is already full." → Living Lab activities integrate into existing subjects rather than adding new content. Start small with one class or subject area.

"Students won't take it seriously." → When students see their data being used by real farmers and community members, engagement transforms. Make the real-world connection explicit.

"Weather damaged our equipment." → Maintenance reserve funds cover repairs. Contact technical support promptly. Use the experience as a learning moment about environmental challenges.

"Our data looks wrong." → Unusual data is often real! But verify through calibration checks. Document anomalies and discuss with your mentor.

Safety Considerations

Student Safety

• Supervise all outdoor activities appropriately
• Establish clear boundaries for monitoring areas
• Train students on equipment handling
• Have first aid supplies accessible
• Follow your institution's outdoor education policies

Equipment Safety

• Secure sensors from tampering or theft
• Use appropriate electrical safety for powered equipment
• Mark monitoring sites clearly
• Store chemicals (calibration solutions) properly
• Follow manufacturer safety guidelines

Data Privacy

• Don't collect personally identifiable student data through sensors
• Follow your institution's media policies for photos/videos
• Obtain appropriate permissions for community sharing
• Protect login credentials for data platforms

Celebrating Success

Recognition Opportunities

• Living Lab Certification Levels — Bronze, Silver, Gold based on program development
• Data Contribution Awards — Recognition for consistent, quality data
• Innovation Showcases — Share creative curriculum integration
• Student Scientist Certificates — Individual recognition for participation

Sharing Your Story

• Submit to UBEC newsletter
• Present at network gatherings
• Host visiting educators
• Document your journey through photos and narratives
• Connect with local media for community awareness

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if our school has limited outdoor space? A: Even small spaces yield valuable data! Window-mounted sensors, container gardens, and partnerships with nearby sites all work. Urban data is particularly valuable.

Q: Can homeschool groups participate? A: Individual homeschools typically partner with a host institution. Contact us about forming a homeschool collective Living Lab.

Q: What grades work best? A: All ages can participate meaningfully. Adapt activities to developmental levels. Mixed-age participation often works beautifully.

Q: How much teacher time does this require? A: Initial setup requires focused time (5-10 hours/week for coordinator during first month). Ongoing maintenance is typically 2-4 hours/week distributed across the team.

Q: What happens to data during school breaks? A: Automated sensors continue collecting. This creates great "what happened while we were away?" learning moments.

Q: Can we choose which data to share publicly? A: Yes. You control sharing settings. However, broader sharing increases your contribution to the bioregional commons.

Contact & Support

Living Lab Program: livinglabs@ubec.network

Technical Support: support@ubec.network

General Inquiries: stewardship@ubec.network

Website: bioregional.ubec.network

Next Steps

1. ✅ You're approved! Welcome to the Living Lab network
2. 📞 Connect with your mentor — Introduction call within 2 weeks
3. 👥 Assemble your team — Identify your Living Lab Coordinator and teacher team
4. 🗺️ Assess your site — Walk your campus with fresh eyes
5. 📋 Plan your launch — Work with your mentor on timeline and equipment
6. 🚀 Begin the journey — Your students are waiting to become citizen scientists!

This guide was developed with the assistance of Claude and Anthropic PBC.

Ubuntu Bioregional Economic Commons — Cultivating the next generation of Earth stewards.

Document Version: 1.0
Last Updated: December 2025