ERIC Number: EJ1412076
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1350-4622
EISSN: EISSN-1469-5871
Available Date: N/A
Facilitator Organizations Enhance Learning and Action through Citizen Science: A Case Study of Girl Scouts' Think Like A Citizen Scientist Journey on SciStarter
Haley E. Smith; Caren B. Cooper; K.C. Busch; Suzanne Harper; Amy Muslim; Kaleigh McKenna; Darlene Cavalier
Environmental Education Research, v30 n2 p190-213 2024
Engagement in citizen science can result in participant outcomes including increased science and environmental literacy and civic action. One factor which may increase the likelihood of these outcomes is facilitation by groups such as employers, schools, or other organizations. We examined how a partnership between SciStarter and Girl Scouts of the USA facilitated participation in citizen science to shape participants' learning and civic engagement. Between July 2017 and February 2020, participants from over 200 Girl Scout troops completed the Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey, consisting of science learning activities, participation in an environmental citizen science project on SciStarter, and a Take Action Project (TAP). Troop leaders provided open-ended descriptions of TAPs which we analyzed qualitatively. Responses provided evidence of learning outcomes spanning informal science learning goals, Girl Scout Leadership Experience outcomes, and Girl Scout STEM outcomes. Participants' TAPs overwhelmingly related to science and environmental topics (81%) and the majority sought to educate and inspire others (66%), reaching audiences of peers, adults, the general public, and civic leaders. This program demonstrates the potential for facilitator organizations to leverage existing citizen science projects to promote learning outcomes, civic science education, and community action with participants as young as 4-5 years old.
Descriptors: Youth Programs, Females, Citizen Participation, Science Education, Learning Processes, Community Involvement, Environmental Education, STEM Education, Program Effectiveness, Scientific Research, Facilitators (Individuals), Organizational Learning, Organizations (Groups), Children, Elementary School Students, Active Learning, Student Projects
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1713562
Author Affiliations: N/A