AERA Open (Nov 2021)

Students Learning About Science by Investigating an Unfolding Pandemic

  • Camillia Matuk,
  • Rebecca Martin,
  • Veena Vasudevan,
  • Kim Burgas,
  • Kim Chaloner,
  • Ido Davidesco,
  • Sushmita Sadhukha,
  • Yury Shevchenko,
  • Engin Bumbacher,
  • Suzanne Dikker

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584211054850
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7

Abstract

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We explored the COVID-19 pandemic as a context for learning about the role of science in a global health crisis. In spring 2020, at the beginning of the first pandemic-related lockdown, we worked with a high school teacher to design and implement a unit on human brain and behavior science. The unit guided her 17 students in creating studies that explored personally relevant questions about the pandemic to contribute to a citizen science platform. Pre-/postsurveys, student artifacts, and student and teacher interviews showed increases in students’ fascination with science—a driver of engagement and career preference—and sense of agency as citizen scientists. Students approached science as a tool for addressing their pandemic-related concerns but were hampered by the challenges of remote schooling. These findings highlight both the opportunities of learning from a global crisis, and the need to consider how that crisis is still affecting learners.