This document discusses using citizen science projects to promote meaningful learning in environmental and science education from the perspective of teachers. It provides examples of how citizen science can be integrated into classroom learning through activities like outdoor explorations, interactions with scientists, observations, discussions, and inquiry projects using collected data. The study aims to understand teachers' perceptions of how participating in ecological citizen science contributes to students' learning and the development of 21st century skills.

1. Promoting Meaningful Learning of Environmental and
Science Education Through Citizen Science
The Teachers' View
Keren Kaplan Mintz, Ornit Sagy, Ziv Shina, Yael Kali, Edna Fichtman

2. What is Citizen
Science?
A scientific research project that engages the public in
its advance, most often in collecting and/or processing
data
Provides the public an
opportunity to engage in
scientific enterprises in
collaboration with professional
scientists
Chris Wood: eBird
National water quality monitoring council
Yael Navon: The Bee Effect
Provides opportunities to learn
about scientific methods,
develop knowledge about the
scientific process, and acquire
scientific literacy
Citizen science contribution to participants

3. Advantages of taking
citizen science to school
Providing students with opportunities for
active and collaborative learning
Providing opportunities for interactions with
peers, teachers, and scientists
Breaking traditional boundaries between
school and society
Engaging school students in real and
ongoing scientific endeavors
Developing and substantiating a
conceptual framework of
meaningful learning through
student engagement in citizen
science
https://www.tcss.center/home-en

4. Photo credit: Ayana Dagan
Taking citizen science to school:
various possibilities to integrate environmental contents and issues into school learning
Anat Gal Ronen Zvulun/Reuters
Daffy Dotan
Ayana Dagan

5. Examples for possible relevant
learning activities
• Outdoor explorations
• Interaction between project's scientists and students in class
• Observations and documentation of species, field environmental
and physical features, or animal behavior
• Class discussions around social implications of scientific findings
• Inquiry activities based on the data collected by the class or the
bug data collected throughout the project
Yael Navon
Yael Navon

6. The Study:
Promoting Meaningful Learning of Environmental and Science
Education Through Citizen Science - The Teachers' View
We believe that citizen science is a unique way for promoting meaningful learning in
school, raising environmental concern and developing 21st century skills
However.. Do teachers share the same views?
What are the perceptions of teachers who incorporate ecological citizen science in
their teaching, regarding its contribution to students learning?
Come to our presentation on ERER-ECER and find out
Keren, Ornit, Ziv, and Yael