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Short Abstract

This workshop explores how large-scale citizen science programs like the Plastic Pirates can scale from data collection to co-creation, fostering education, environmental awareness, and empowerment.

Abstract

The Plastic Pirates program has engaged more than 25,000 schoolchildren and their teachers in investigating plastic pollution in rivers and coastal areas. So far, the program has primarily focused on collecting scientific data through the active participation of schoolchildren. Building on this success, the program now aims to move beyond data collection to strengthen co-creation, combining data collection with educational experiences that foster environmental awareness and empowerment among schoolchildren.

This workshop invites researchers, educators, and practitioners to explore how large-scale citizen science programs can evolve toward more participatory and co-creative formats. Using the Plastic Pirates as a case study, participants will work collaboratively to identify transferable strategies for enhancing environmental awareness and empowerment into their own initiatives.

Workshop objectives:

• Reflect on lessons learned from large-scale citizen science programs, using the Plastic Pirates as an example.

• Discover how co-creation can foster environmental awareness and empowerment in citizen science programs.

• Identify success factors and challenges for evolving contributory citizen science programs to include co-creative elements.

• Co-develop ideas and practical takeaways for participants’ own projects/ programs.

The workshop provides an interactive space to rethink the role of large-scale citizen science in promoting environmental awareness and empowerment. By bringing together different perspectives, we aim to explore how programs like the Plastic Pirates can move beyond data collection and grow into co-creative programs that generate both scientific data and societal impact.

Specifications for required space: seminar room with projector and wifi

Materials: flipcharts, markers, sticky notes

Maximum number of participants: 20