Development of new formats of Citizen Science with micrometeorites for multidisciplinary school education

In addition to its importance for basic scientific research, Citizen Science involving micrometeorites collected from the roofs of Berlin has a special potential for promoting scientific literacy and the understanding of science in general (Hecht et al. 2021). Yet, Citizen Science still occurs too rarely in schools and requires further development (GEWISS 2016). Moreover, earth sciences are only briefly addressed in school curricula. The Citizen Science approach can be applied very well to the Berlin framework curriculum due to its many links to geography, physics and chemistry lessons. Citizen Science can be an important part of geoscience or natural science education and even contribute to strengthening democratic participation and research (Burger 2016).

This project aims to develop and test a Citizen Science approach in a school setting. In cooperation with grade 9 students in a Berlin high school, we are conducting sampling and scientific processing of micrometeorites from a Berlin roof using almost all essential research steps. The project’s main setting is at school. In order to enable active participation in the use of large-scale equipment, we will test the remote control of such equipment by students in the classroom.

Burger, D. (2016): GW-Unterricht, 2(142), 18–27. https://doi.org/10.1553/gw-unterricht142/143s18

GEWISS (2016): Grünbuch. Citizen Science Strategie 2020 für Deutschland. Leipzig: FRITSCH Druck.

Hecht, L., Milke, R. & Greshake, A. (2021): GMIT 84, 7-21, https://doi.org/10.23689/fidgeo-4328.