Using Citizen Science to Engage Children in Nature PlayEngaging children in inquiry and nature play allows them to make early connections to the world around them and to help instill a sense of curiosity and wonder [1]. Families play an important role in science education outside the learning in the classroom where only 5% of people’s science learning comes [2]. Research has found that children, with the help of an adult, can make observations that are equal to and often even better than scientists because of a lack of assumptions and prior knowledge [3].
Citizen Science, programs that engage people of all backgrounds and abilities in scientific research, is helping to connect scientists with participants and allowing them to be part of the research community. YardMap.com [4], a project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is just one program that can be adapted by families to help engage their children in real world applications of science [5]. Through the program, children can learn about observations, asking questions, mapping skills, and make connections between their actions and the world around them while helping scientist learn about bird habitats and migration patterns [6]. To the right is a video for a song, In Your Backyard, that looks at how using YardMap.com can be a fun, engaging, and educational tool. References 1. Tippins, D. J., & Jensen, L. (2012). Citizen science in digital worlds: The seduction of a temporary escape or a lifelong pursuit?. Cultural Studies Of Science Education, 7(4), 851-856. 2. Falk, J. & Dierking, L. (2010). The 95 percent solution. American Scientist, 98(6), 486-493. 3. Mueller, M. P., Tippins, D., & Bryan, L. A. (2012). The future of citizen science. Democracy & Education, 20(1). 4. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d). YardMap. Retrieved from http://content.yardmap.org/ 5. Crawford, E., Heaton, E. T., Heslop, K., & Kixmiller, K. (2009). Science learning at home: Involving families. Young Children, 64(6), 39-41. 7. Sherwin, J. C., Reacher, M. H., Keogh, R. H., Khawaja, A. P., Mackey, D. A., & Foster, P. J. (2012). The association between time spent outdoors and myopia in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. |
Children who spend more time indoors are more likely to need glasses due to nearsightedness, or myopia [7]. Citizen Science ProgramsEveryone can be a scientist. Below is a list of Citizen Science Programs that allow everyone to help collect data to help researchers learn more about our world.
In Your Backyard - Using YardMap.com |