Four Steps Towards Implementing Citizen Science Approach In School

Abstract

Citizen science (CS) is an innovative approach that is reaching into schools and teachers need training to adopt it. The current study focused on Estonian teachers who participated in a teacher training aiming to guide teacher to use Globisens sensors and CS approach in school. Classroom observations took place few months after the trainings to see how teachers implemented the approach. Based on the observations, four steps towards using CS approach in school were distinguished: 1) learning to use sensors with some inquiry-based learning (IBL) elements, 2) IBL, 3) CS activities in the school community, 4) participating in a wider CS project that is initiated top-down by stakeholders outside the school. The potential fifth step could be bottom-up initiated wider CS project, started by teachers and pupils who ask other stakeholders to collaborate.