Citizen science engagement: Lessons learned from the ClimateWatch "Scientist for a Day" program

Title
Citizen science engagement: Lessons learned from the ClimateWatch "Scientist for a Day" program
Publication Date
2021
Author(s)
Morales, Pamela K
Roslan, Nadiah
Haas, Andrea
Lykins, Amy D
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2930-3964
Email: alykins@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:alykins
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Inc
Place of publication
United States of America
DOI
10.1080/1533015X.2021.1922102
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/52623
Abstract

Limited knowledge exists on participant outcomes relating to citizen science programs. Using the ClimateWatch: Scientist for a Day program as a case study, we sought to understand participant behaviors and attitudes post-program, and evaluated the program's post-engagement initiatives. Phone interviews were conducted with 15 former participants. While participants enjoyed learning and increasing their environmental knowledge, very few of them engaged in the program's on-going monitoring activities. Lack of motivation and post-program engagement were cited as key reasons for this outcome. Recommendations are provided to improve participant outcomes, and to assist program evaluation research and the program's scientific engagement aims.

Link
Citation
Applied Environmental Education and Communication, 20(4), p. 393-405
ISSN
1533-0389
1533-015X
Start page
393
End page
405

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