ERIC Number: EJ1152906
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Jul
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8148
EISSN: N/A
Teaching through Trade Books: Becoming a Citizen Scientist
Royce, Christine Anne
Science and Children, v54 n9 p22-27 Jul 2017
Engaging students in elementary science is often done within the confines of the classroom. Citizen science projects, however, bring students, families, teachers, and communities together to help scientists with their research. Students become active participants in real research, use their three-dimensional understanding of science, and contribute to the overall field of science. Both of the activities presented in this article focus on students identifying potential citizen science topics and contributing to actual research. This month's trade books are: (1) "Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story" (Anna Forrester); and (2) "Citizen Scientists" (Loree Griffin Burns). In the first activity, students collect scientific data near school or home. Students make observations and record data on their data collection sheet, and then make direct connections between their citizen science project and the one that JoJo completes in the story, thus demonstrating their understanding of the data collection process. In the second activity, students research different citizen science opportunities, pitch a project to fellow classmates, and discuss and vote for one project in which the whole class can participate.
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Student Projects, Books, Childrens Literature, Data Collection, Observation, Active Learning, Group Activities, Nonfiction, Elementary School Science, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Conservation (Environment)
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive; Guides - Classroom - Teacher
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A