Partnerships between science centers and citizen science projects can result in both better science and deeper learning.... learn how! This is the second in a series of workshop slideshows on integrating citizen science into informal science education programming.

1. Why
citizenand
science
science centers?

2. (enabling
deeper
learning
AND
better
science!)

3. Science
Citizen
science
can have Society
outcomes
for: Individuals

4. including …

5. Research outcomes:
documenting range shifts
(Bonter et al. unpublished data)
identifying potential mismatches
(Batalden et al. 2007)
identifying vulnerable species
(Crimmins et al 2008, 2009)
health planning
(Levetin and Van de Water 2008)
anticipating effects on water sources
(e.g., CoCoRaHS)

6. and …

7. Learning outcomes:
engage critical thinking
(Trumbull et al 2000)
science learning, bonding
(Kountoupes and Oberhauser 2008)
environmental action; social networks
(Overdevest et al. 2004)
social capital
(Ballard 2008)
improved policy
(Wing et al. 2008)

8. Science
centers
can help make
the science
better!
(why you shouldn’t be shy about contacting an
existing project about partnering!)

9. Engage new audiences
More data
in
more places
and from
more perspectives.

10. Enhance detectability
More eyes
mean a better
chance of
actually
seeing what’s
there!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deapeajay/3420593941/

11. Address variability over time
Repeat
observations
of the same,
exact plant
are valuable.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/abigailwoods/6120664653/

12. Understand local issues
What does a
single sighting
mean in
relationship
to other
things
happening
around it?

13. And…
… science
centers
can help
facilitate
deeper learning.

14. Observers are everywhere…
educators are not!

15. When observers become
inquirers, the learning is
relevant and robust.

16. (we’ve got the
scoop on this! )
Center for the Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE)
Inquiry Group Report:
Public Participation in Scientific Research: Defining the Field
and Assessing its Potential for Informal Science Education
(Bonney et al. 2009)

17. Remember this?
Science
Society
Individuals

18. Here’s the scoop:

19. Here’s the scoop:
Outcomes
are related to
HOW
volunteers are
involved.

20. Degree of participation: Contributory Co-Created
Science
Define a question/issue
Gather information
Develop explanations
+ ≈
Design data collection methods
Society
Collect samples
Analyze samples
Analyze data
≈ +
Individuals
Interpret data/conclude
Disseminate conclusions
Discuss results/inquire further
≈ +
Bonney et al. 2009. CAISE Report.

21. Outcomes for: Contributory Co-Created
Science + ≈
Society ≈ +
Individuals ≈ +
(adapted from Shirk et al. 2012)

22. Numbers reached How might we
bridge these two
experiences?
Depth of engagement

23. Numbers reached
Science centers
Parks Museums
Aquariums Libraries
Planetariums…
Depth of engagement

24. Together,
we can
make
THIS…

25. …also look like
THIS!

26. Environmental
activities
A powerful integration of science
and learning.

27. Environmental
Values and activities Recording
perspectives
Experience( Information
internal) (external)
Interpretation Empowerment
Decision
making
(Adapted from Lawrence 2009)

28. Ultimately…
bringing
MEANING
to the
science.

29. want to get
started?
See more
at…
CitizenScience.org/ISIs

30. Photo credits:
Project FeederWatch, www.nestwatch.org
Monarch Larvae Monitoring Project, www.mlmp.org
Steve Wing, Community Health Effects of Industrial Hog Operations
eBird, www.ebird.org
Shermans Creek Watershed Monitoring Program, www.shermanscreek.org
On Flickr: spooky05, sierraclub, deapeajay, abigailwoods, sierraclub
Resources:
Bonney, R., H. Ballard, R. Jordan, E. McCallie, T. Phillips, J. Shirk, and C. Wilderman. 2009. Public Participation in
Scientific Research: Defining the Field and Assessing Its Potential for Informal Science Education. A CAISE Inquiry
Group Report. Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE), Washington, D.C. Online
Shirk, J. L., H. L. Ballard, C. C. Wilderman, T. Phillips, A. Wiggins, R. Jordan, E. McCallie, M. Minarchek, B. V.
Lewenstein, M. E. Krasny, and R. Bonney. 2012. Public participation in scientific research: A framework for
deliberate design. Ecol. Soc. Ecology and Society 17(2):29.http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol17/iss2/art29/
Lawrence, A. 2009. The first cuckoo in winter: Phenology, recording, credibility and meaning in Britain. Global
Environmental Change 19:173-179.
For more information:
CitizenScience.org
cscentral@cornell.edu