Gearing Up for Citizen Science: Designing a MOOC with an Environmental and Community Health Focus

Friday, April 29, 2022

3:15 PM – 3:30 PM CT

Presenter and Author(s)

AM

Alexa Mayo, AHIP

Associate Director, Research and Information Services
University of Maryland, Baltimore HSHSL
Baltimore, Maryland
Katherine Downton

Head of Research and Education Services
Health Sciences & Human Services Library
Baltimore, Maryland

Slides Slides and Audio

Author(s)

TP

Thom Pinho

Lead Instructional Technology Specialist
Health Sciences and Human Services Library
baltimore, Maryland

Background: Citizen scientists are members of the public who collaborate with scientists in collecting and analyzing data to answer research questions. In some cases, motivated citizen scientists – especially those wishing to bring attention to environmental challenges in their communities – may investigate a research question on their own. A team at the Library developed a course that builds research skills in citizen scientists, focusing on developing projects in environmental and community health. The course uses the edX Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform and it is open to everyone. An award from the NNLM/SEA funded the project.

Description: A team-based approach was used to design Citizen Science: Gearing Up for Discovery, an asynchronous 5-week course for citizen scientists aspiring to investigate health-related issues in their communities. A project planning team contributed experience in course design, online instruction, and knowledge of the field of citizen science. This paper will describe the course curriculum: an introduction to citizen science; steps in planning a successful project; strategies for collecting and managing data; and communicating results. Instructional methods integrated short lectures, quizzes, and learning activities and, to engage learners and make the course come alive, the team applied a narrative storytelling approach. The process of developing the MOOC will be explained. The Library released the course in May 2021 and promotion is ongoing.

Conclusion: Course evaluation methods and outcomes will be presented, including enrollment data, course engagement, and assessment outcomes. Challenges related to participant demographics and MOOC completion will be discussed. Opportunities and challenges for libraries interested in MOOC development and team-based course planning will be explored, along with opportunities for broader involvement in citizen science initiatives in libraries.