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Nested inquiries: students pursue their own investigations intertwined with partnering scientists' projects in school-based citizen science

Design · All designs
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 theoretical), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description

Nested inquiries are cases where educators and scientists strike a balance between students' own questions and those of partnering professional scientists, offering a solution to the tension among the multiple goals of CCS in schools. The commentary states these cases "offer evidence of students' learning and deep engagement with scientific practices, the nature of science and uncertainty, and using their science for decision-making and action." It extends earlier work on youth working with nested data situated in larger datasets, projects, and communities.

Design Implications

Context

Requirements

  • Educators and scientists must balance students' own questions alongside or intertwined with those of the partnering professional scientists, which the commentary calls a tightrope for CCS project designers

Constraints

  • The commentary notes it is a tightrope for CCS project designers, scientists and educators to walk

Target Learners

  • K-12 students in school-based citizen science projects

Learning Goals

  • scientific reasoning and practices
  • nature of science and uncertainty
  • using science for decision-making and action
  • identity and agency development

Claims

Examples

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Key Sources

  • Ballard, H. L. (2023). Community and citizen science in schools: nested inquiries, productive tensions, and the role of communities. Instructional Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-023-09643-7
Page metadata
Field Value
type design
id nested-inquiries-ccs-schools
title Nested inquiries: students pursue their own investigations intertwined with partnering scientists' projects in school-based citizen science
description Nested inquiries are cases where educators and scientists strike a balance between students' own questions and those of partnering professional scientists, offering a solution to the tension among the multiple goals o...
status review
generated by process:settle-candidates on 2026-10-18
trust unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources 1 — ballard-2023

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