Bringing science into schools: Publication on citizen science enablers

Involving students in authentic research projects outside of school lessons means creating participatory extracurricular opportunities related to research processes and giving them a voice in the applied format of science communication. Important for such projects is a group of people referred to as “enablers.”

Based on findings from two long-term, large-scale initiatives to promote scientific engagement in Germany (Darwin Day Science Outreach and the citizen science program Plastic Pirates), the paper "How can we enable school students to learn and participate in science engagement initiatives? Roles and tasks of enablers" identifies four main tasks for enablers:

• coordinating the needs, expectations, and goals of the participants involved
• translating different ideas about science into shared visions
• supporting the design of the initiative with educational theory
• evaluating the success of the extracurricular science initiative

The authors also suggest that self-confidence in being an enabler working at the interface between research and education is an important prerequisite for successful collaboration with participants.

Kiessling, T., Christina, C., Katrin, K., Enzingmüller, C., Kremer, K., Katrin, K., Dittmann, S., Schulenburg, H. and Parchmann, I. (2025). How can we enable school students to learn and participate in science engagement initiatives? Roles and tasks of enablers