학술논문

Citizen science: expanding ideas of citizenship and science
Document Type
Journal
Source
Social Studies Research and Practice, 2020, Vol. 15, Issue 1, pp. 83-96.
Subject
research-article
Research paper
cat-EDUN
Education
cat-TEDU
Teacher education
Teacher education
Citizen science
Democratic citizenship
Language
English
ISSN
1933-5415
Abstract
PurposeThis action research project determines the extent to which the authors were able to expand ideas of both citizen and scientist through their integrated science and social studies middle childhood methods course.Design/methodology/approachApplying the ideas of citizen science, students in the course developed inquiry projects of their choice centering on the topic of local and global water issues. In addition, students participated in book groups focusing on the ideas of citizen science explicitly. The researchers used surveys, student assessments and interviews to assess the extent to which students' ideas changed.FindingsWhile the data reveal the students' conceptions of scientist and citizen both expanded, there was greater change in their conceptions of what it means to be a scientist.Originality/valueThe authors argue that the expansion of ideas of science is important for enacting critical citizenship.