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Step by step towards citizen science - deconstructing youth participation in BioBlitzes.

ABSTRACT: BioBlitzes, typically one-day citizen science (CS) events, provide opportunities for the public to participate in data collection for research and conservation, potentially promoting deeper engagement with science. We observed 81 youth at 15 BioBlitzes in the U.S. and U.K., identifying five steps participants use to create a biological record (Exploring, Observing, Identifying, Documenting and Recording). We found 67 youth engaged in at least one of the steps, but seldom in all, with rare participation in Recording which is crucial for contributing data to CS. These findings suggest BioBlitzes should reduce barriers to Recording for youth to increase engagement with science.

SUBMITTER: Lorke J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7612973 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Step by step towards citizen science - deconstructing youth participation in BioBlitzes.

Lorke Julia J Ballard Heidi L HL Miller Annie E AE Swanson Rebecca D RD Pratt-Taweh Sasha S Jennewein Jessie N JN Higgins Lila L Johnson Rebecca F RF Young Alison N AN Khanaposhtani Maryam Ghadiri MG Robinson Lucy D LD

JCOM, Journal of science communication 20210601 4

BioBlitzes, typically one-day citizen science (CS) events, provide opportunities for the public to participate in data collection for research and conservation, potentially promoting deeper engagement with science. We observed 81 youth at 15 BioBlitzes in the U.S. and U.K., identifying five steps participants use to create a biological record (Exploring, Observing, Identifying, Documenting and Recording). We found 67 youth engaged in at least one of the steps, but seldom in all, with rare partic ...[more]

PMID: 35795087

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