Our Story

Project Dragonfly began at Miami University in 1994 with the creation of Dragonfly magazine, the first national magazine to feature children’s science investigations and discoveries. Funded by the National Science Foundation and published by the National Science Teachers Association, Dragonfly magazine challenged widely held assumptions about the role of children in science by publishing their research alongside the research of professional scientists.
The magazine evolved into the Emmy-winning PBS children’s television series DragonflyTV. Produced by TPT public television, DragonflyTV led to the spinoff PBS television series, SciGirls. Expanding partnerships with community institutions beginning with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden became the foundation for Project Dragonfly’s national public exhibit projects Wild Research and iSaveSpecies.
The partnership network now includes leading education and conservation organizations worldwide supporting a shared vision for community-engaged graduate education through Earth Expeditions, the Advanced Inquiry Program, and the Global Field Program. While working towards their masters’ degrees, Earth Expeditions, AIP, and GFP students join a global network of premier organizations to co-create new solutions to the vital social and ecological issues of our time. Project Dragonfly and the Dragonfly team have been recognized as outstanding leaders in the fields of education, conservation, and change-making with hundreds of awards, accolades, and publications written over the years.

More About Miami

Earth Expeditions group jumping in Namibia.

Founded in Oxford, Ohio, in 1809, Miami University is one of the eight original “Public Ivy” schools and is known for excellence in education, having been recognized in the U.S. News & World Report as first among public universities with “an exceptionally strong commitment to teaching.” Citing Miami as among the best in the nation for commitment to liberal arts education, The Fiske Guide to Colleges notes Miami’s strengths in research, study abroad, and leadership.

Project Dragonfly at Miami University provides opportunities for graduate students in the fields of biology, conservation, education, and sustainability. Through the AIP and the GFP, Project Dragonfly and Miami University have enriched the lives of many working professionals by offering these unique master’s degree programs.

Project Dragonfly has won the MAGS 2025 Excellence in Innovation in Graduate Education Award

OXFORD, Ohio – Miami University’s Project Dragonfly has won the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) 2025 Excellence in Innovation in Graduate Education Award. Read more.

2024 John E. Dolibois Faculty Award for Innovation in Global Programming

Dragonfly co-founder and directorDr. Chris Myers was honored with two awards from his innovative global programming by Miami University’s College of Arts and Science and Global Initiatives. Read More.

Dragonfly Visiting Assistant Professor honored by AASA

Dragonfly Visiting Assistant Professor Michelle Szydlowski Ph.D. has published a new book and has been honored by the Australasian Animal Studies Association (AASA) for an article she coauthored on presumed bias and for creating and hosting a conference on anthrozoology. Read More.

We have so many more awards and accolades! Here is a sampling:

Dragonfly

Global Outstanding Service Award, NAAEE

Project Dragonfly was awarded Outstanding Service to Environmental Education by an Organization at a Global Level. Awarded by the North American Association of Environmental Educators.

Distinguished Conservation Partner Award, Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)

Project Dragonfly was named the recipient of Cheetah Conservation Fund’s (CCF) Distinguished Conservation award in celebration of the Africa-based conservation organization’s 30th anniversary.

Photograph on exhibit in U.S. National Portrait Gallery

Ricardo Stanoss is the first Argentinian to be featured at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. with his portrait of ecologist Tom Lovejoy currently on display at the Gallery. "This is by far my greatest achievement with or without a camera," said Stanoss. Read more on Facebook page and the CNN news page.

Emmy Award

DragonflyTV, the PBS children’s television series produced by TPT public television, won two Emmy Awards and led to the creation of the Emmy-Award winning television series SciGirls.

The Parents’ Choice Gold Award

Selected in over 200 sites by 3,700 parents, children, teachers, psychologist, pediatricians and other experts, the Parent’s Choice Gold Award, often referred to in the media as the Oscar of children’s media and toys, is a well known emblem of quality for parents and children.

Students and Alumni

Grosvenor Teacher Fellows by the National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions

Several members of the Dragonfly team and students and alumni have been named a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow by the National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions. These educators embark on expeditions around the world for professional learning. Read More.

American Association of Zoo Keepers “Excellence in Journalism” Award

Kara DeLanty earned the American Association of Zoo Keepers “Excellence in Journalism” award. GFP graduate and Milwaukee County Zoo primate zookeeper Kara explains her research on zoo visitor perceptions regarding the conservation status of cotton-top tamarins, their appropriateness as pets, and shares how folks can help support the cotton-top tamarin. Read More.

Dragonfly Alumni named a fellow by National Sea Grant College Program and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Congratulations to AIP graduate Briana Yancy '21 who was named a fellow by National Sea Grant College Program and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)! The John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program matches fellows with “hosts” in the legislative and executive branches of government for a one-year paid immersive policy experience in the Washington, D.C. area. Since February 2023, Briana has been working in NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Lab. Read More.

Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

President Joe Biden has named GFP grad Helen Corveleyn from Hopewell, N.J., as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching! Congratulations Helen! You are an inspiration! Read More.

2023 Excellence in Conservation & Environmental Education Award

Elsi Miller, a current student in the Global Field Program, was the recipient of the 2023 Excellence in Conservation & Environmental Education Award from the Kansas Association for Conservation & Environmental Education! Elsi is among 10 educators from across Kansas recognized for demonstrating leadership and excellence and for teaching about the richness, diversity and importance of our Kansas natural resources! Read More.

Urban-Eco

Exciting news from some alumni: Urban-Eco, formed by AIP graduate Lindsey Hagen and GFP grads & sisters Jenny & Megan Hinz, received tax-exempt status and can now award travel scholarships to high school students. To be eligible, students submit short videos which are posted on the Urban-Eco website. Bravo! Read More.

Honeywell Green Boot Camp

Nagy, Leah (2014, June). Among 70 educators chosen worldwide to participate in a week-long workshop focusing on green practices and conservation-based classrooms, Honeywell Green Boot Camp, San Diego, CA.

Mt. Lookout Ohio's Citizen of the Year award

Hats off to AIP graduate Mark Plucinski who was recently named Mt. Lookout Ohio's Citizen of the Year as the result of a project that he completed during his coursework. After surveying the not-so-pollinator friendly Mt. Lookout Square garden, Mark presented his data to the local community council and was approved to upgrade the garden. Mark is married to our very own Karen Plucinski. Thanks to the Plucinski duo + a team of volunteers completing the upgrades, more pollinators are visiting the garden location (as determined by a follow-up survey)! Read More.

GFP Graduate starts nonprofit Pelecanus

AIP graduate Austin Parker ‘18 co-founded the conservation storytelling non-profit organization, Pelecanus, with his brother, Taylor. Named for the California Brown Pelican brought back from the brink of extinction, Pelecanus hosts conservation podcasts. Read More.

Dragonfly Assessments

To evaluate programmatic alumni outcomes, Project Dragonfly conducted a survey of students who had graduated from the Advanced Inquiry Program and Global Field Program from December 2012 to May 2022. The Alumni Survey contained 26 questions on:

Overall Impression of the Program
Financing Studies
Professional Outcomes
Skills Gained
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Post-graduation Engagement

The Project Dragonfly Alumni Survey Results Report provides a summary of our findings.

Project Dragonfly was recognized by the Miami University Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) for its assessment work in conducting the alumni survey, leveraging alumni feedback, and improving teaching and learning at Miami. Remarkably, a total of 568 (30 percent) alumni responded. Read More.