Pathways to Achieving Equal Opportunity in Citizen Science Projects: Insight From Fellow Project Leaders

• In Event: 42.022 - Knowledge to Action: Academic Journeys in and out of School

Abstract

Citizen science projects have been proposed as an effective way to engage students of color in science and provide them with opportunities to connect science practices with community practices (Jones, Childers, Stevens, & Whitley, 2012). However, despite the desire to engage communities of color in citizen science projects, the typical citizen science participant is affluent, well educated and white. This study seeks to examine pathways to achieving equal opportunity in citizen science projects by examining the experiences, insights, and advice of 5 project leaders who have demonstrated the ability to engage communities of color in citizen science projects. The aim is to illustrate the process of how citizen science project leaders can establish and maintain partnerships with communities of color.

Author

• Renee Mary Lyons, Clemson University