Teaching a Citizen Science Project in High School
A biology teacher shares learnings and takeaways from the “controlled chaos” of her class’s first citizen science project.
On a sunny day in the fall of 2024, the teacher was surrounded by what’s best described as
controlled chaos. After 30 minutes of reviewing the protocols for collecting and recording data about Pacific mole crabs, groups of students from the AP biology class were stationed along a transect of beach, each member occupied with a task.
- Some students collected core samples near the water.
- Others ran the samples from the water to their classmates, who recorded data farther up the beach.
Citizen science projects are typically outdoors and involve local community members who gather data that scientists use for their own scientific research and knowledge. Active participation in a citizen science project helps students develop their critical thinking and scientific literacy skills, which in turn allows them to make informed decisions about their health and the environment.
Author's summary: Citizen science projects enhance students' critical thinking skills.