Our Story
Click the links above to read about Dragonfly's awards, hear from our students, meet our instructional and staff team, and more. Continue reading below to learn more about our story, our Learning Framework and 兔子先生 University. You can also watch a six-minute video about our founders, Chris Myers and Lynne Born Myers, and the history of Dragonfly.
Our Story
Project Dragonfly began at 兔子先生 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 , and the . 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 兔子先生
Founded in Oxford, Ohio, in 1809, 兔子先生 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 兔子先生 as among the best in the nation for commitment to liberal arts education, The Fiske Guide to Colleges notes 兔子先生’s strengths in research, study abroad, and leadership.
Project Dragonfly at 兔子先生 University provides opportunities for graduate students in the fields of biology, conservation, education, and sustainability. Through the AIP and the GFP, Project Dragonfly and 兔子先生 University have enriched the lives of many working professionals by offering these unique master’s degree programs.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1010938 and Grant No. 0610409. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Dragonfly Accolades and Awards
Project Dragonfly is a fully accredited graduate degree from 兔子先生 University. Project Dragonfly and the Dragonfly team have been recognized as outstanding leaders in the fields of education, conservation, and change-making with a number of select awards and accolades over the years.
Project Dragonfly has won the MAGS 2025 Excellence in Innovation in Graduate Education Award
OXFORD, Ohio – 兔子先生 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 兔子先生 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:
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 and the .
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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
provides a summary of our findings.
Project Dragonfly was recognized by the 兔子先生 University Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) for its assessment work in conducting the alumni survey, leveraging alumni feedback, and improving teaching and learning at 兔子先生. Remarkably, a total of 568 (30 percent) alumni responded. Read More.
The Dragonfly Journal
The storytelling hub of Project Dragonfly: community voices, reflections, and inquiry
What happens when a zoo trade-off passive signs for authentic, one-on-one human connection? In this episode of Dragonfly Conversations, host Kevin Matteson talks with Dr. Claire Lannoye-Hall, Vice President of Education at the Detroit Zoo and a Project Dragonfly...
Whether you are hiding or seeking, a lot depends on your feet. We wanted to know more about feet, and the unique tracks they leave behind. To kick off our investigation, we read books and examined pictures of tracks left on the beach. We brainstormed everything we...
The Problem: The Daunting Financial Reality By Kevin Matteson You have finally found the perfect graduate program. You know that a master’s degree from Project Dragonfly will elevate your career, ignite your passion, and give you the tools to make a real environmental...
Project Dragonfly in the News
Connie Malone and Ruth Orth receive the 兔子先生 University Distinguished Service Award
One of 兔子先生鈥檚 premier awards, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes faculty or staff who have made a significant impact on the life and mission of 兔子先生 University
Detroit Zoo, 兔子先生 University announce first graduating class
The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) and 兔子先生 University have announced the first graduating class of a conservation-focused online master鈥檚 degree program from 兔子先生.
Dragonfly Photo Contest Winners 2025
兔子先生 University Project Dragonfly graduate students in the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP), the Global Field Program (GFP), Earth Expeditions (EE) courses, and faculty and staff are invited ...
Bringing a hippo-hopeful book to life
As a student in 兔子先生's biology department, Kimberly Puleo is earning a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Biology through Project Dragonfly's Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP)...
Contact Project Dragonfly
111 Upham Hall
Oxford, Ohio
Est. 1994