What better way for students to learn science than by participating in real research projects led by professional scientists that address issues that are of interest and concern to their local communities. This project is conducting research to learn how this affects student motivation, engagement, and achievement of state science standards.

Science is not textbooks, science is discovering how the natural world actually behaves by collecting rigorous evidence and analyzing that using reason and logic. Imagine that virtually everyone in our population experienced this first-hand throughout their education. Might that have a favorable impact on the decisions our society makes?

This project has explored how to integrate student participation in citizen science research across the curriculum in all four core subject areas in grades 3-8 in two typical, medium-size, midwestern school districts. This video provides a brief introduction to some of the features of this project.

We welcome your comments and questions and suggestions and especially welcome contacts from others who have experience with this approach to promoting student learning.

Nice video Bob. I live how you involve a number of citizen science projects into your activity with the students. Kevin

Yes, we tried to select projects that could pertain to some central science standards for each grade, that could be conducted using measurements and observations that students at that grade level could master, and that could be done using available resources. We've made some changes to projects towards the end of the funding period so it would be possible to continue the research after grant funding ends. In some cases, that meant adopting a different project that could be conducted without field trips and finding support scientists who are local to the schools.

I was captivated by this video--which really demonstrated what it is like to involve students in citizen research! I am wondering--how do teachers integrate this program with their existing curricula?

For the educators out there: what has been your experience with citizen science?

Great video. The focus on early grades is really important and it's inspiring to see you engaging these young scientists. 

I am not a traditional teacher, but have worked with kids in grades 3-8 for the past 7 years through FIRST Robotics and the Sylvania STEM Center. Each year these kids are tasked with finding an innovative solution to a real world problem. This year's theme involved water. One team examined the effect of algae in Lake Erie and developed a filter to help clean this water. Another team developed a solar powered device that would produce chlorine through electrolysis which could be used to disinfect water in third world countries.

Obviously, this is not the citizen science curriculum, but the approach appears to be similar. Hands-on, real world based disciplined study is an outstanding method to help kids internalize the method and process of scientific observation and learning. In this case, both teams identified problems and came up with these innovative solutions themselves. In what other educational process could these middle schoolers develop a combination ultraviolet and carbon based filter? What traditional educational approach would drive a team of 3rd-8th graders to split water molecules with electricity to hep clean water?

I wish for continued success and expansion of the citizen science approach. This is the way science should be taught.

Love this!  A wide range of relevant studies for students to get excited about.  It seems like a great team to support this learning.  Is there a plan for long-term, self sustainability?  I have had the great fortune of being a part of some exciting projects as a classroom teacher but when the funding has dried up, so have the resources...  I would love to know your long-term plan?  Thanks for inspiring so many!!

We actually have a meeting today with an incubator that is interested in developing these ideas. The kids that want to develop it would like to see it through to at least a manufacture ready design. They have a working prototype that they used off the shelf parts for and 3D printed the rest--they learned CAD with TinkerCAD to draw the parts. The main designer was a third grader! She knew nothing of CAD previously, but learned with TinkerCAD, a free online CAD program for kids.

They want to be able to have a third party produce these as low cost as possible in order to send them to third world countries.

Our center is a non-profit after school program, so we are not limited to the school year. If they want to develop the ideas further, part of the process is to go out and approach businesses for funding, or more importantly, mentorships from places like engineering firms.

Experiences for young students such as those described so well in your video can be life-changing-so it was for me. While I always liked school science, it was the real-life, citizen science type experiences that were captivating. It's not either/or but this AND that. A terrific way for young people to internalize science and engineering practices-let them seep into their bones! Great when the in-school and out-of-school experiences can mesh. As a science teacher (I was for many years), I was always grateful for the richness students brought to my classes from outside school experiences. 

Sally

Will you be able to explore the long-term influence of the Citizen Science experience on students' interest or success in science fields?

Sally

What a terrific project! It fosters children's agency while addressing sustainability issues. Like Sally, I hope you can collect longitudinal data on the impact of your work.

This is an excellent overview of citizen science opportunities and especially showing various grade levels in action. This approach is also my main pathway in teaching science methods to future teachers because it is not only active and engaging with the world, but is easy to  integrate with existing curricula. The power of observation, to me the most important concept I try to develop in my pre-service teachers, is exquisitely exercised through citizen science experiences.

Enjoyed learning about your project! Is there a teacher professional development aspect to your work? I wondered how the participating teachers became familiar with citizen science and how to incorporate it into their teaching. 

For the past 6 years  we as teachers have been creating curriculum and working with students with caring for our environment.  We have only one world and one chance.  This is a great learning experience that is teaching us how to create meaningful lessons pertinent to the students using the environment around them.  The growth and learning as educators and students will continue through the years.

Our building, the RCAAS in Sandusky, has paired with the city in helping to grow native grasses for rain gardens for our area.  We have also created an area at our building for a pollinator garden for data collection.  Within these gardens we are experimenting with different decomposers and their effects on plant life and soil.  The fifth graders are working with water and how plants, decomposers and organic fertilizers affect water runoff, while the sixth graders are testing the different soils we are working with, and trying to create a soil that is environmentally friendly.  We are implementing worm composting and are looking into other ways of recycling organic materials.  We are also raising awareness in our community by participating in Earth Day and hopefully Harvest Happening this fall at Osborne Park.  We offer education at these events having the community create seed bombs using milkweed for our Monarch Butterflies, seed packets, student created brochures, and we are hoping to expand our community education this fall with worm composting starter kits.

All this would not have been possible without the help and guidance of the iEvolve professors.  We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and hope to inspire other districts and communities with the work we are doing here.

Thank you!!
The Teachers and Students at the RCAAS