How do teachers integrate a citizen science project into schools?
This question is addressed in a study presented by Dr. Dalit Lan at the Israeli Conference on Research in Education.: “Teachers Leading Citizen Science in Schools – Teachers’ Voices in the ‘Landmarks for Accessible Environment’ Project.” The study was led by Dr. Dalit Lan, Prof. Ayelet Baram-Tsabari, Dr. Keren Dalyot, and Dr. Sagi Dalyot. The project, conducted within the framework of the Taking Citizen Science to School (TCSS) center, involved more than 2,100 students from 33 schools. The students participated in urban mapping as part of a geo-information research study aimed at planning accessible walking routes for people with visual impairments – a unique integration of authentic scientific research and geographic and scientific education. The educational study’s findings reveal patterns of implementation for integrating citizen science into schools, based on bridging teachers’ goals with the ways they employed to achieve them. The study shows that citizen science in schools combines a view of it as a lever for learning with a view that emphasizes the promotion of values, enabling broader involvement of students and teachers in research and in the community.
