Hello #AKEdChat I work on the innovations team in Anchorage. When I think of citizen science, I think of a group of concerned citizens creating awareness around an issue.
I'm Jen Witter, Science Curriculum Coordinator for the Anchorage School District. To me #citizenscience is active and engaged learning that serves society #akedchat
Q1: Today’s opportunities to participate in citizen science are limitless. What topics in your local community lend themselves to student involvement in citizen science? #AKEdChat#AKLearns#CitSci#Alaska#CommunityEngagement
Q2: Every toolbox should have a hammer and a screwdriver. What are the essential tools in your toolbox for data collection activities ( #digitaltools and nondigital tools)? #AKLearns#citizenscience#akedchat
Q1: Today’s opportunities to participate in citizen science are limitless. What topics in your local community lend themselves to student involvement in citizen science? #AKEdChat#AKLearns#CitSci#Alaska#CommunityEngagement
A2 I love digital probeware but we still need to teach students how to use analog tools such as thermometers. Use spreadsheets and teach data processing & management, coding skills can be infused #akedchat
Q3: There are a variety resources for citizen science. You can join existing projects or start your own project with students. What #CitizenScience resources do you have in your toolkit? #AKEdChat#CommunityEngagement
A1: weather / climate, first frost, breakup, leaf out, salmon runs, Did-You-Feel-It earthquake shaking reports, bird sightings, shoreline change, and so much more #AKEdChat
Q4: Critical evaluation of fake news requires people to move beyond being passive consumers of information. How can engaging in the process of #citizenscience lead to a more informed population? (think local and national) #AKEdChat#AKLearns#CitSci
Q3: There are a variety resources for citizen science. You can join existing projects or start your own project with students. What #CitizenScience resources do you have in your toolkit? #AKEdChat#CommunityEngagement
Q2: Every toolbox should have a hammer and a screwdriver. What are the essential tools in your toolbox for data collection activities ( #digitaltools and nondigital tools)? #AKLearns#citizenscience#akedchat
Q3: We have earthquakes every day in AK. Did you feel it? Check out USGS Latest Earthquakes and report what you felt: https://t.co/78OitFq6Cg… #AKEdChat
A4 Doing science is the best way to learn science and improve critical thinking skills. Collecting and interpreting data gives you the best lens for evaluating the quality of information you receive from external sources #akedchat
A3: We have earthquakes every day in AK. Did you feel it? Check out USGS Latest Earthquakes and report what you felt: https://t.co/78OitFq6Cg… #AKEdChat
Q3: There are a variety resources for citizen science. You can join existing projects or start your own project with students. What #CitizenScience resources do you have in your toolkit? #AKEdChat#CommunityEngagement
Q5:Active participation in #community projects should engage diverse groups. What community elements should we consider (social, cultural, language, etc.) when embarking on citizen science partnerships? #AKEdChat#AKLearns#CitSci#civicengagement
A4: I think engaging in citizen science can promote high ordering thinking skills. I would hope #citizenscience could spark more citizen journalism and awareness! #AKEdChat
Q4: Critical evaluation of fake news requires people to move beyond being passive consumers of information. How can engaging in the process of #citizenscience lead to a more informed population? (think local and national) #AKEdChat#AKLearns#CitSci
A4: Last year my class read REAL news about a water shortage in our community. We visited the local water plant. My students were very knowledgeable about the water issue, my guess is they shared their knowledge with their families too. #akedchat
Q4: Critical evaluation of fake news requires people to move beyond being passive consumers of information. How can engaging in the process of #citizenscience lead to a more informed population? (think local and national) #AKEdChat#AKLearns#CitSci
Q6:Effective communication skills are among the top skills desired by employers today. How can your students share the information gathered? What tools could they use? With whom could they share? #AKLearns#citizenscience#AKEdchat#Softskills
A5 The language of science can be a barrier, so plain language is good. Awareness that land and objects can have sacred meanings, and practice respect in all things #akedchat
A4: Identify reliable journalists and news sources you can trust; steer clear of social media as a news source; listen to people who have different opinions from you; evaluate the evidence; read Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: https://t.co/HTenUzx8dJ#AKEdChat
A6: Share with other students around the world through videos, @Flipgrid, or @SkypeClassroom. My dream is to have my students give presentations to the public at our local museum, or make a poster/brochure for the museum. #akedchat
Q6:Effective communication skills are among the top skills desired by employers today. How can your students share the information gathered? What tools could they use? With whom could they share? #AKLearns#citizenscience#AKEdchat#Softskills
A4: Use primary source documents, even excerpts. Teach students how to evaluate who funds the information. Teach students to be skeptical, not cynical. When a claim is made, what three steps could we all take to determine the validity of the source? #akedchat
A6: Make a SmartPhone documentary about what you discovered! Share it with family and friends. Write a question to a scientist. Practice talking in front of your peers. Do this as often as you can! #AKEdchat
A5: Last year, I learned there is value to beginning your science lessons with Indigenous knowledge first and then move into western science. I tried it once and it was really quite amazing as it led to some great discussions in our class. #akedchat
Q5:Active participation in #community projects should engage diverse groups. What community elements should we consider (social, cultural, language, etc.) when embarking on citizen science partnerships? #AKEdChat#AKLearns#CitSci#civicengagement
A5: You should also take into consideration how your students' parents make a living before diving deep into a controversial environmental issue. Try to present facts on both sides so students and their families do not feel attacked. #akedchat
Q5:Active participation in #community projects should engage diverse groups. What community elements should we consider (social, cultural, language, etc.) when embarking on citizen science partnerships? #AKEdChat#AKLearns#CitSci#civicengagement
one way might be to write letters to elected officials. I also love the creative ways that students can share info with videos. My daughter got awesome skills in @MisterKlott class #akedchat
Q6:Effective communication skills are among the top skills desired by employers today. How can your students share the information gathered? What tools could they use? With whom could they share? #AKLearns#citizenscience#AKEdchat#Softskills
A7: Start with a conversation! There are plenty of local issues to connect to in the classroom that are real in their world. #recycling for example. Students might be empowered to create their own #plasticfree campaign! #aKEdChat
Q8:Some view #citizenscience as the democratization of society’s role in learning about the world around us. How can citizen science empower local communities to address their local needs? #AKLearns#CitSci
A7: We share about our community in #MysterySkype, #postcardexchange18, and pen-pal letters. By sharing about our community, students become aware of things going on in our community and come up with things we could investigate further. #akedchat
A7: My favorite way to spark interest in students is invite local "experts" into the classroom to share, even just for 30 minutes, it makes a huge difference. #akedchat
Q9: Last Question! Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the life of our communities & developing the combination of knowledge, skills & values to make that difference. How can you encourage civic engagement through citizen science? #AKEdChat#AKLearns#CitSci
A7: What we do is what we value. Create opportunities for students to do good stuff... at their school, in the neighborhood, in their town. Emphasize that small things everyday matter. Be overt. #akedchat
Goodnight #AKEdChat we hope the discussion of #citizenscience moves to a slow chat over the course of this week! We encourage you to join the conversation!
Q8 #science is an approach that can help solve problems. You don't have to wait for someone else to dream up a project...write a proposal as a community group! #akedchat
