Citizen science – students’ perspectives

Ākonga from Boulcott School, Koraunui School and Rāroa Normal Intermediate explain what citizen science projects are, why they like being involved, and how the projects benefit the science community.

Questions for discussion

• What are some of the reasons scientists invite volunteers to become involved in citizen science projects?

• Why do you think volunteers might want to become involved in citizen science projects?

• What citizen science project would you like to be part of?

Transcript

Ruby

Citizen science projects are when real scientists ask regular people to help them with upcoming projects.

Helen

Ordinary people like us come together and collect data.

Eshan

Helping the scientists to gather information.

Olivia

It helps the scientists by saving them time. 

Ashleigh

It creates new data for them to explore.

Anvita

We help scientists by giving data that we got by observing the sunspots.

Charis

My favourite part of The Pieris Project was just like all the hype around being able to catch white butterflies and sending them to California for DNA tracking.

Vandika

I enjoyed looking at the sunspots and different filters.

Rebecca

We learned about pest control, earthworms, Marine Meter Squared, seaweed and so much more.

Charis

Collecting data, interpreting data, and just, all that kind of stuff. It's really fun.

Acknowledgements

Boulcott School
Ruby
Charis
Melissa Coton

Koraunui School
Helen
Rebecca

Rāroa Normal Intermediate
Eshan
Olivia
Alsheigh
Anvita
Vandika
Matt Boucher and Harriet Quin

Whareama School
Dianna Christenson