Using online citizen science to develop students' science capabilities

Abstract

In 2018, a research project funded by New Zealand’s teaching and learning research initiative (TLRI) explored the impact of online citizen science (OCS) projects on the science educa primary school children in New Zealand. This article provides an intion of depth case study from this project in order to share ways in which one teacher used OCS projects specifically to develop students’ science capability, ‘critique evidence’. Comparin g data from students’ conversations and work with the progress indicators for the science capabilities released by the Ministry of Education in 2019 suggests that many of the students were achieving at or above the expected level. We suggest that teacher p rofessional learning and development in relation to the intent of science in the NZC, and the purpose of the science capabilities, was a significant enabler.