Citizen Science, Informal Education, and Action Research: Next Generation Science Standards, Girl Scouts, and Water

• In Event: 66.057 - Roundtable Session 27
  In Roundtable Session: 66.057-19 - Capturing Impacts of Action Research Through Partnerships, Youth Participatory Action Research, and Citizen Science

Abstract

Citizen science, or inclusion of non-professionals in scientific research, can increase scientific knowledge and involve communities in solutions to problems. The authors investigated a citizen science project and its ability to address the dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in an informal educational setting with participant input. Action research was utilized, and methods included conversation/observation notes from program meetings and focus group discussions. A social constructivist theoretical framework was embraced. Results show that the project addressed the NGSS dimensions: Science/Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI), and Crosscutting Concepts (CCC). The participants were explicitly knowledgeable about the process. Implications include that components of citizen science/informal programs can address the components of NGSS and science learning while giving participants voice.

Authors

• Meghan C. Lockwood, University of Wyoming

• Andrea C. Burrows, University of Wyoming