Charlotte Doll (Medical University of Vienna) from the Sparkling Science project "Be PART of it!" and Robert Vogler (University of Salzburg) from "u3Green" gave an insight into the content of their research and their collaboration with pupils as citizen scientists. Both projects are concerned with the living environments of children and young people - on the one hand with interaction in the classroom and on the other with the immediate urban environment.
Lessons learned
Both speakers emphasized that working closely with young people in citizen science projects is time-consuming but enriching. Particularly in the case of research questions that directly affect children and young people, collaborative development is also advantageous in terms of content.
For example, the pupils involved in "u3Green" helped to develop the questionnaire for recording and evaluating urban greenery so that it also reflects the reality and language of the younger generation. Robert Vogler reported that the opportunity to be perceived with their own needs and opinions through the research in the project was an important motivating factor for the young project participants.
The students in the "Be PART of it!" project, on the other hand, worked out a division of tasks so that some are mainly involved in science communication and others are more intensively involved in data analysis. The project is investigating how the use of avatars changes the sense of belonging in the classroom. The pupils from the technical partner school can thus contribute their technological knowledge and also broaden their professional horizons by working on a psychological issue, explained Charlotte Doll.
More information from the projects, lessons learned and tips can be found in the recording.
Upcoming spotlights
April 11, 2024, 12:00-13:00, Sparkling Science Spotlight with the projects "MAJA" and "Snow2School" Further information
May 08, 2024, 12:00-13:00, Sparkling Science Spotlight with the projects "LIDAL" and "DIGIdat" Further information
13 June 2024, 12:00-13:00, Sparkling Science Spotlight with the projects "This is (not) Rocket Science!" and "FEIN-FÜHLEN durch Mentalisieren" Further information
The recordings of all previous lectures can be found here.
