Learning outdoors can be a wonderful experience for teachers and students alike, especially after the challenges wrought by a few years of remote learning. So what exactly is citizen science, and how can it be used in education?
Citizen science is a hands on science tool used to build essential science skills and knowledge, building employability skills such as teamwork, collaboration and communication, as well as supporting students to explore their local communities and natural environments. It puts science into the hands of everyday community members, focusing on an area or location of interest. Citizen science projects can be complex or simple, depending on the time available and the skills and interests of the people who are participating. Some citizen science projects build on existing science research, while others create databases of information that can be accessed and used by scientists in the future. They key takeaway is that the mechanics of the project - the hands on, doing phase, is completed by people who are not trained and experienced scientists, but regular people in their local communities.
Let's take a look at some of the options for exploring citizen science in your class or group:
Marine science
Visit a local waterway such as a beach, estuary or creek and collect data on the species you observe. Use a map of the area to mark where species are found in a set time period (such as half an hour). Use a template to collect and classify observations before organizing the information into charts, tables or graphs (this is handy for building numeracy skills too). Marine ecosystems are great to explore during an excursion and it is easy to collaborate with local experts, community groups or other schools to help support their research and share data and results (this is the employability bit!)
Frogs in their habitats
Depending on the time of year and your location, you may be lucky enough to have some easily accessible locations to look and listen for frogs. Frog observations can be done during an excursion to a river or creek, or during an overnight camp. Take some tablets or smart phones so students can record visual imagery and sounds then upload the information to the Australian Museum’s Frog ID project.
Birds and insects
There are many bird and insect related citizen science projects available in a wide range of ecosystems - and these often lend themselves well to student led projects because they can be found easily, have lots of identifiable features and they are perfect for showing a clear link between structure, function and behaviour. Students may enjoy focusing on a single species that is found in their area (such as Noisy Minors, Native bees, Australian Pelicans or Purple Swamp Hens) or learning about birds and insects in their school or backyard. Research and compare introduced and native species (try a Venn diagram or PMI chart), take photos and collect and map data (again, great for numeracy skills) to show where birds and insects are found. Use technology tools to record information and share with others. Upload observations to the iNaturalist website, or participate in a ready made project for your location or interest area.
Podwatch
If you are close to a bay or ocean area, try searching for dolphins or whales during an excursion activity so you can upload the results using the podwatch app. Get in touch with a local expert such as the Dolphin Research Institute to find out how scientists use the data collected by citizen science observers to help them build a catalogue of information about dolphins and whales that can be referred to in the future. Older students may discover new options for work experience that can fit with their TAFE or VCE VM requirements.
Finding remote projects
There are lots of options for virtual and face to face citizen science projects as well as activities and online learning that can link students with places and science areas which interest them. Some projects involve helping scientists sort through images they have taken using remote technology tools such as wildlife sensor cameras placed in the field. Talk to your students about their areas of interest or look for a project related to a current topic you are learning in class. Sites such as Zooniverse, Digivol and Questagame let you plan and use technology to collect data or participate in live conservation and environmental science projects with other students, schools, researchers and citizen scientists.
Safety first
Remember to complete a risk assessment before you begin a citizen science project and be aware of changing or hazardous weather and local conditions that might affect your outdoor activities. Projects set around waterways such as oceans, creeks or rivers need careful planning to make sure they are safe.
Employability focus
Citizen science projects are a great way of developing employability and work readiness skills for older students. They provide experience in planning and organising a project, as well as opportunities to work as a member of a small or larger team for an extended period of time. Projects often require careful data collection and collation, which can offer students a practical example of numeracy and literacy in a work related context. Projects generally integrate well across learning areas, so students can build and collect evidence of employability skills such as communication, technology use, collaboration and teamwork.
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