COS 34-2 - STEM webcams as tools for learning: Viewer demographics, motivations, and outcomes

Monday, August 15, 2022

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM EDT

Location: 518A

Presenting Author(s)

SS

Sarah E. Schulwitz, PhD

American Kestrel Partnership Director
The Peregrine Fund
Boise, Idaho, United States

Coauthor(s)

VF

Vanessa Fry

Boise State University, United States
SH

Sara Hagenah

Boise State University, United States
CM

Christopher J. W. McClure

The Peregrine Fund, United States
AZ

Anahita Zabihi Gilvan

Boise State University, The Peregrine Fund, United States
AT

Abigail Thomson

Boise State University, The Peregrine Fund, United States
BR

Brian Rolek

The Peregrine Fund, Canada
EK

Erin Katzner

The Peregrine Fund, United States
MH

Meagan Haynes

Boise State University, United States
CS

Carl Siebert

Boise State University, United States

Background/Question/Methods

Thousands of publicly available webcams are operated by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) organizations, such as zoos, museums, and government agencies. Though they have the potential to offer rich informal learning opportunities, to date no research has quantified any aspect (cognitive, behavioral, or emotional) of viewer outcomes. Here, we surveyed and interviewed webcam viewers to assess viewer demographics, motivations for and behaviors of viewing, and potential increase in curiosity, interest, and knowledge toward the STEM subjects viewed. This abstract details preliminary results from a pilot study of 300 constituents of Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Bird Cams listserv. The oral presentation at ESA’s annual meeting will include additional results from expanded surveys and interviews, encompassing greater sample sizes and constituents from several more organizations that host STEM webcams, including the Smithsonian National Zoo, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, California Academy of Science, and more. The expanded study is funded by NSF Award # 2005869. We hypothesize our expanded results will reflect those in the pilot study.

Results/Conclusions

Pilot study results (36 respondents of 300) found that nearly 85% of respondents were female, 70% had at least a bachelor’s degree, and 97% were white. Respondents reported watching STEM webcams because they care about the subjects (90%), to connect with nature (82%), and to learn something new (57%). Respondents viewed wild animals (91%), education or conservation facility (zoo, aquarium, nature center, planetarium, museum, etc.; 43%), and weather (31%) the most. Viewing a STEM webcam influenced respondents to discuss the topic with others (81%), sign up to receive information or join an email listserv (72%), or donate to the host organization (60%). Most respondents said that viewing a STEM webcam had not influenced them to volunteer (82%) or visit an organization’s facility (62%). More than 75% responded that STEM webcams were influential to their interest, knowledge, or how they felt about a topic. Those who said STEM webcams influenced their interest, knowledge, and feelings toward a topic were more likely to donate to the organization. This study is the first to quantify cognitive, behavioral, and emotional aspects of perceived webcam viewer experience. This on-going research will provide foundational knowledge that quantifies and describes many facets of US-based STEM webcams.