Citizen Science HackLabs: A Teen Programming Collaboration between the Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium

Advances in technology and communication have enabled scientists to utilize the power of individuals to increase knowledge of the natural world through the power of citizen science. These decreasing barriers for access mean... [ view full abstract ]

Advances in technology and communication have enabled scientists to utilize the power of individuals to increase knowledge of the natural world through the power of citizen science. These decreasing barriers for access mean young people have the opportunity to directly contribute to scientific research. From October 2014-February 2015 the Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium, two of Chicago’s foremost cultural institutions, are partnering to offer Citizen Science HackLabs: Data in Difficult Places to directly engage youth in the processes of citizen science.

This program, comprised of four workshops and a culminating hackathon, centers on engaging teens around the impact of citizen science on current scientific advances and research potential. Workshops will combine experiment design with data collection, analysis, interpretation, and visualization. Participants will use digital and physical tools for data collection and analysis while collaborating with peers to analyze and interpret data. The workshop series will culminate in a hack day—a daylong competition where teams of participants utilize skills gained from the workshops to solve a real-world problem of how to get “Data from Difficult Places: Dark, Deep, and Dangerous.”

The Shedd and Adler each bring their unique scientific content expertise to this program.. Shedd-hosted workshops will focus on aquatic science with Shedd Conservation and Research scientists present to act as science mentors. The Adler, home to Zooniverse citizen science project development staff and an active astronomy department, will leverage web development and space science content expertise. In addition to these institutional staff, STEM mentors who are professionals in technology and science industries will be available at Adler-hosted workshops to work with young people.

This talk will overview the collaboration between the Adler and Shedd, including workshop design models, lessons learned from the first iteration of the program, and program outcomes.