Leveraging Citizen Science for Informal Science Learning

作为在非正式环境中加强学习的总体战略的一部分，推进非正式STEM学习(AISL)计划为各种环境中使用的创新研究、方法和资源提供资金。拟议的项目扩大了公众参与科学研究(PPSR)方法的用途，其中包括公民科学，以支持非正式学习的新角度。它还扩展了博物馆以前关于交互式数据可视化的工作，以包含对科学数据作出积极贡献的要素。为了实现这些目标，这个项目将开发和研究U！Science(发音为‘You，Science！’)--一种利用公民科学和学习以研究为基础的技术的新方法，让博物馆参观者了解科学的过程，塑造对科学的态度，以及科学认同的发展。通过美国科学家多点触控桌面展览，参观者将：(1)与科学数据互动，(2)为科学家提供直接使用的数据解释，(3)基于证据发表声明，以及(4)可视化他们的数据分类如何为全球研究项目做出贡献。参观者还将体验科学的过程，通过这些精心设计的互动获得效力和信心。该项目汇集了Zooniverse、博物馆中基于大数据可视化的交互设计和学习方面的专家，以及科学博物馆中游客体验和学习方面的领导者。通过这一努力，预计每年将有超过5万名博物馆参观者与U！Science互动。这种影响将通过打包开源平台来倍增，这样其他人就可以很容易地在他们的机构中实例化U！Science。U！Science展览的开发过程将遵循设计、实施和修订的快速迭代，受博物馆参观者体验评估的驱动。它将涉及计算机科学、人机交互和教育设计方面的专家、非正式科学学习专家和博物馆从业人员之间的密切合作。总结性评估将基于跟踪观察、U！Science和Zooniverse.org日志文件(即，用户行为指标的自动收集)和调查。通过这项努力将解决三个关键问题：Q1)参观者是否会参与博物馆地板上的PPSR活动(通过U！Science触摸台展览)，尽管所有的分心和其他学习机会都在竞争他们的注意力？如果是这样的话，由谁参与、持续多长时间以及采用什么团队配置？Q2)如果参观者真的参与了，他们会在参观博物馆后重新参与内容吗(即，继续访问Zooniverse.org)？Q3)通过触摸台展览参与PPSR--无论是否在参观博物馆后继续参与Zooniverse.org--是否会带来学习收获、更好地理解科学的本质、改善对科学的态度，和/或科学认同感的发展？

As part of its overall strategy to enhance learning in informal environments, the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program funds innovative research, approaches, and resources for use in a variety of settings. The proposed project broadens the utility of Public Participation in Scientific Research (PPSR) approaches, which include citizen science, to support new angles in informal learning. It also extends previous work on interactive data visualizations in museums to encompass an element of active contribution to scientific data. To achieve these goals, this project will develop and research U!Scientist (pronounced `You, Scientist!')--a novel approach to using citizen science and learning research-based technology to engage museum visitors in learning about the process of science, shaping attitudes towards science, and science identity development. Through the U!Scientist multi-touch tabletop exhibit, visitors will: (1) interact with scientific data, (2) provide interpretations of data for direct use by scientists, (3) make statements based on evidence, and (4) visualize how their data classifications contribute to globe-spanning research projects. Visitors will also get to experience the process of science, gaining efficacy and confidence through these carefully designed interactions. This project brings together Zooniverse, experts in interactive design and learning based on large data visualizations in museums, and leaders in visitor experience and learning in science museums. Over fifty thousand museum visitors are expected to interact annually with U!Scientist through this effort. This impact will be multiplied by packaging the open-source platform so that others can easily instantiate U!Scientist at their institution. The U!Scientist exhibit development process will follow rapid iterations of design, implementation, and revision driven by evaluation of experiences with museum visitors. It will involve close collaboration between specialists in computer science, human-computer interaction and educational design, informal science learning experts, and museum practitioners. The summative evaluation will be based on shadowing observations, U!Scientist and Zooniverse.org logfiles (i.e., automated collection of user behavior metrics), and surveys. Three key questions will be addressed through this effort: Q1) Will visitors participate in PPSR activities (via the U!Scientist touch table exhibit) on the museum floor, despite all the distractions and other learning opportunities competing for their attention? If so, who engages, for how long, and in what group configurations? Q2) If visitors do participate, will they re-engage with the content after the museum visit (i.e., continue on to Zooniverse.org)? Q3) Does engaging in PPSR via the touch table exhibit--with or without continued engagement in Zooniverse.org after the museum visit--lead to learning gains, improved understanding of the nature of science, improved attitudes towards science, and/or science identity development?