Environmental Science Learning in Ongoing Youth-Focused Citizen Science Programs Led by Natural History Museums

• In Event: Learning in the Community

Abstract

We studied youth participation in three ongoing Citizen Science (CS) programs led by Natural History Museums in the US and UK to examine how youth develop Environmental Science Agency (ESA) over time. We qualitatively analyzed focal youth interviews (N=22) and pre- and follow-up surveys (N= 61, 45, respectively). The majority of youth showed improved understanding of environmental science content and practice, learned about biodiversity, gained observation skills, developed skills in using scientific tools; some also developed agency with science in small ways to pursue related science interests beyond the project. However, few fully understood the scientific purpose of the CS programs or perceived their role as meaningful, suggesting more explicit positioning of youth as “doing science” could enhance ESA.

Authors

• Maryam Ghadiri, University of California, Davis

• Heidi Ballard, University of California - Davis

• Ana Benavides-Lahnstein

• Sasha Pratt-Taweh, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

• Julia Lorke, Natural History Museum in London

• Jessie Jennewein, Natural history museum of Los Angeles

• Annie Miller, California Academy of Sciences

• Lila Higgins, Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County

• Rebecca Johnson, California Academy of Sciences

• Lucy Robinson, Natural History Museum, London

• Jessica Wardlaw

• Alison Young, California Academy of Sciences