Research project

Wild Citizens

Project overview

The Wild Citizens! project encourages and supports primary school children to become active citizen scientists and environmental citizens by focusing on wildlife in their school grounds. As future stewards of the planet, it is vital that today’s children understand about climate change and sustainable development, and know how to engage in activities which help protect the environment. The pupils participate in designing and constructing an outdoor ‘Wild Science Lab’ to attract, protect and record wildlife. They develop data-handling skills and communicate their findings within their local community, whilst reaping the health and wellbeing benefits of connecting with nature. Additional components to the project are CPD training in outdoor education for primary school teachers, and creating an environmental education network for Southampton primary schools.

Staff

Lead researchers

Dr Andri Christodoulou

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • Argumentation within scientific and socio-scientific contexts
  • Dialogic teaching
  • Socio-scientific inquiry-based learning
Connect with Andri

Emeritus Professor Marcus Grace

Professor of Science Education

Research interests

  • The science and values underpinning education for biodiversity, sustainable development and citizenship
  • Adolescent decision-making, and teaching and learning about socio-scientific issues
  • Outdoor science education
Connect with Marcus
Other researchers

Dr Charis Voutsina

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • Mathematics Learning in the Early Years and Primary school education
  • Family engagement and socio-cultural influences in early mathematics learning
  • Teacher Education and Development
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Dr Carys Hughes

Senior Teaching Fellow

Research interests

  • The science and values underpinning education for biodiversity
  • Teaching and learning about socio-scientific issues
  • Outdoor science education
Connect with Carys

Collaborating research institutes, centres and groups

Research outputs