Most of the participants had no previous experience with citizen science at all. Nevertheless, after having undertaken the course, all teachers and educational officials expressed their commitment to get involved with citizen science and implement the educational scenarios they developed into their school(s) under their responsibility. Some of their evaluative statements:
Varvara Vorylla, coordinator of Environmental Education at the Primary Education Directorate of East Attica.
“In my practice, I try to address issues such as how students can have a positive impact on the environment. Thanks to the course, I’ve realized that citizen science can contribute to this goal: networking with scientists to expand their knowledge and promoting actions to protect the environment”.
Varvara Vorylla’s statements – Watch the video!
Anna Trigatzi, a secondary history and Greek language education teacher, environmental educator and PhD student at the NKUA Environmental Education Lab.
“Before taking this course, I had previous experience in citizen science. The course was an opportunity to think in-depth about the several applications citizen science and citizen observatories, such as OdourCollect and Pl@ntNet, can have in educational programs. I believe that for students it is vital to become aware of the methods and principles of science to get empowered in active citizenship”.
Anna Trigatzi’s statements – Watch the video!
George Potamias, a primary education teacher and school-based environmental educator.
“Before participating in this training course, I didn’t know anything about citizen science. However, now I think this approach is vital for sustainable development and the students’ environmental awareness. I have many citizen science projects ideas I would like to run with my students”.
George Potamias’ statements – Watch the video!
Christina Kalatha, a secondary math education teacher.
“After undertaking this course, I believe it’s essential to introduce citizen science as a learning tool in schools. It’s a chance for the students to use technology while learning about nature and learn how to cooperate. I am very much interested in using Natusfera and Pl@ntNet in my teaching practice”
Christina Kalatha’s statements – Watch the video!
Ioanna Fokou, environmental educator and teacher trainer at the Drapetsona Environmental Education Center.
“Being involved in citizen science makes the participants feel that they’re part of a global community, altogether as a team. And it should be introduced in schools. Throughout the course, I got involved with Pl@ntNet and Odourcollect. Now, I’d like to integrate them in my programs I design for students, so that they become engaged with data collection, work in teams, analyse and evaluate the results and share them at an international level with other people”
Ioanna Fokou’s statements – Watch the video!
Barbara Petridou, coordinator of Environmental Education at the Secondary Education Directorate of the 2nd Athens District Division.
“The course was excellent. I had no previous knowledge about citizen science. Now, I think it’s essential in environmental and sustainability education. If students actively participate in citizen science projects, they will care more about their local environments through observing, recording, and sharing scientific data. Pl@ntnet, Natusfera, and OdourCollect, were so easy to use. From now on, I will try to include school activities related to citizen science in my practice”
Barbara Petridou’s statements – Watch the video!
Fotios Danaskos, a geologist and secondary education teacher.
“The course allowed me to immerse myself in depth in citizen science, which, I think, should be integrated into high school education to raise awareness and social responsibility related to environmental and biodiversity information”
Fotios Danaskos’s statements – Watch the video!
Zacharenia Daskalaki, primary school teacher and PhD student at the NKUA Environmental Education Lab.
“The course helped me enrich my knowledge about the value of citizen science and was a great opportunity to learn more about it. I’m a teacher, and I think it is vital to introduce it as a learning tool in schools”
Zacharenia Daskalaki’s statements – Watch the video!
Ioanna Ntinou, coordinator of Environmental Education at the Secondary Education Directorate of the 3nd Athens District Division.
“The course was excellent: in terms of duration, scientific support, quality of content, the interaction between the trainees, production, presentation, and evaluation of relevant educational material. After having completed this course, I’d like to apply the knowledge and experience I got from it in the Sea Change project, which is about recording coastal and water pollution.”
