Activity Introduction

Quick summary: In this lesson, students investigate citizen science and its contribution to scientific knowledge. Students begin by thinking about what science is, what scientists do and how scientists help biodiversity. They then work in groups to look at a range of biodiversity related citizen science projects. Groups adopt a jigsaw approach to share what they have learnt about the citizen science project they investigated. Finally, students consider the risks and opportunities for citizen science projects.

 

This lesson has been developed in partnership with Earthwatch. Earthwatch developed the ClimateWatch program with the Bureau of Meteorology and The University of Melbourne to understand how changes in temperature and rainfall are affecting the seasonal behaviour of Australia’s plants and animals. 

 

 

Learning intentions:

  • Students know the role citizen science plays in scientific knowledge.
  • Students understand the value of citizen science projects from a scientific and social perspective. 

21st century skills:

Australian Curriculum Mapping

Content descriptions:

Year 7 Science

  • Science knowledge can develop through collaboration across the disciplines of science and the contributions of people from a range of cultures (ACSHE223)

Year 8 Science

  • Science knowledge can develop through collaboration across the disciplines of science and the contributions of people from a range of cultures (ACSHE226)

Syllabus outcomes: SC4-17CW.

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.6.

Relevant parts of Year 7 Science achievement standards: Students describe situations where scientific knowledge from different science disciplines and diverse cultures has been used to solve a real-world problem.

Relevant parts of Year 8 Science achievement standards: Students describe situations in which scientists collaborated to generate solutions to contemporary problems.

Topic: Biodiversity, Climate Change.

Unit of work: ClimateWatch: Citizen Science – Science – Years 7 & 8.

Time needed: 60 mins.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – oversee discussion, lead students in activities.

Resources required: Tablets with ClimateWatch app installed. Internet access. Student Worksheet – print one copy per student. One printed Prior Knowledge Questions per 12 students in the class. Workbook. 

Keywords: Earthwatch, ClimateWatch, science, scientist, citizen science, biodiversity, community.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher preparation

Learning intentions:

  • Students know the role citizen science plays in scientific knowledge.
  • Students understand the value of citizen science projects from a scientific and social perspective. 

Success criteria: Students can…

  • ... describe what citizen science is, in their own words.
  • ... investigate and evaluate citizen science projects operating in Australia.
  • ... communicate research findings with their peers.

Teacher content information: If we want to better understand the world around us, we need data – lots of it. Many industries are using data collection, analysis and communication to measure and predict a range of outcomes. From analysis of weather data used by airports to create flight paths, to banks, hospitals and mining companies measuring their carbon emissions, data is going to be the cornerstone of students' future careers.

Earthwatch's ClimateWatch program is a working example of the power of citizen scientists collecting data. The

...
 
- or - to view worksheets

Student Worksheet

Thought starter: Have you ever been a citizen scientist?

Investigating citizen science projects

Your teacher will assign your group one of the following citizen science projects:

In your groups, work to research and answer the following questions (NOTE - you should discuss your answers in your groups; however, you are responsible for recording your own answers):

1. What is the name of this project?

2. What is this project about?

3. What aspect of science does this project aim to help?

4. How are citizen scientists able to contribute to this project? What tasks are they required to do?

5. How do the project organisers measure the success of this project (e.g. by sightings, participants, species identified etc.)?

6. What is the

...
 
- or - to view worksheets

Leave your Feedback

We appreciate your feedback. Let us know what you like or don't like about this activity:

Sorry. You must be logged in to view this form.