Conception and Evaluation of ClimateLab_OS: Interdisciplinary Climate Education in a German Chemistry Student Laboratory

Abstract

While juveniles in particular have become increasingly involved in climate and environmental protection measures in recent years, the technical background of the processes and consequences of the climate crisis usually remain untouched in public discourse or demonstrations. ClimateLab_OS was developed as an extracurricular student laboratory for pupils in grades 8–13 in order to provide German juveniles with interdisciplinary and multidimensional access to the climate crisis on a chemical basis through scientific experiments and thus create an edutainment environment that combines the promotion of climate literacy with a motivating engagement with the natural sciences. Using numerous material and experimental stations in four thematic spheres, students can (not only) deal with sea level rise, ocean acidification, the greenhouse effect, photosynthesis, and the footprint of mobility. ClimateLab_OS is empirically monitored using a quantitative questionnaire study (N = 164 in a pre-/post-/follow-up design, N = 268 post only) and shows short-term trends in the promotion of current and object interest as well as enjoyment, while also having positive impacts on frustration. In particular, differences between pupils from different types of German schools are analyzed.