Learning Science From Youth: Examining Youths as Science Information Sources

• In Event: 18.072 - Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: 18.072-7 - Investigating and Supporting Science Engagement

Abstract

This study examined youths as science information sources for the adults and communities in their lives. Lifelong science learning is necessary for informed decision-making on politically or personally relevant science-related topics (Falk & Dierking, 2010; Feinstein, 2010), but engaging broad and diverse audiences has proved challenging (Feinstein & Meshoulam, 2014; Nisbet & Scheufele, 2009). An unexplored avenue for engagement is youths sharing science information with their communities. This mixed methods study examined survey (n = 399) and interview (n = 22) data to understand adults’ perceptions of and reactions to youths as science information sources. The results showed that youths elicited different responses than adult scientists, indicating youths may offer a unique contribution to the science learning of their communities.

Author

• Amie Patchen, Boston College