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Poster Short Abstract

Showcasing a collection of papers on Citizen Science and it's potential for science education, this work highlights the publication of a special issue of IJSE Part B and represents the shared expertise of the ECSA Learning and Education working group.

Poster Abstract

This poster showcases a collection of papers that were published in a special issue of the International Journal of Science Education, Part B on Community and Citizen Science (CCS) and young people in formal and informal learning settings. This work represents the shared expertise of the ECSA Learning and Education working group. Three overarching themes are addressed in the papers included in our special issue, these are:

• The learning setting as the sum of the design features, facilitation aspects and the learning opportunities created

By considering CCS activities as learning settings, we can utilise and critique established research approaches from the science education field to gain a deeper understanding of participant experiences during the CCS process.

• Capacity building in educators, teachers and other facilitators

In youth-focused settings, educators, teachers and other facilitators are key stakeholders in implementing CCS with young people. They often act as gatekeepers for participation, take on critical roles in guiding youth participation, and serve as mediators between projects and youth.

• Outcomes in the light of design features

A measure of ‘learning outcome’ is a desirable feature of citizen science projects, enabling effects to be measured for the people involved alongside the data-driven outcomes on the scientific issue in question. A focus on ‘outcomes’ is part of the puzzle, but communication between scientists, young people, and educators in citizen science projects is a vital consideration.

Our poster will share insights and findings from the ten articles that make up this inspiring collection of papers.