As a pilot of the Erasmus Maris initiative, RAISE-CS has the overall objective of facilitating the engagement of secondary school students in key phases of environmental scientific studies, including data analysis through transnational collaboration that blends formal and non-formal learning. To achieve this goal, the project has established four specific objectives 1- To showcase the capacity of secondary schools to generate reliable and pertinent data and knowledge in the field of microplastic pollution. 2- To Facilitate the integration of citizen science projects in schools by providing strategies that align these activities with the key competencies of lifelong learning. 3- Empower science teachers to collaborate actively with the scientific community. 4- To develop a holistic approach and roadmap for the implementation of a European citizen science initiative called Erasmus Maris. Erasmus Maris will serve as a collaborative platform for co-creating knowledge and co-design solutions across formal education, non-formal education, and scientific sectors. While focusing on microplastic pollution, the approach and the roadmap are designed within a versatile model adaptable to various environmental themes.
The consortium applied for this project to lay the groundwork for EU-wide co-created citizen science programs by secondary schools as part of a novel initiative called Erasmus Maris. While school experiments provide a good introduction to the scientific method, they often limit students' ability to fully comprehend all stages of a research study. On the other hand, soft skills like communication and teamwork are vital due to rapid societal and labor market changes driven by megatrends like globalization, digitalization, climate change, and societal shifts. To acquire these skills effectively, schools should embrace learning in diverse settings and real-world contexts. Citizen science enables students to join scientific studies and understand environmental issues from the perspective of lifelong learning. Regrettably, school-based citizen science projects often limit students to data collection and reporting, aligning better with primary and lower secondary school educational objectives. Two main barriers impede the implementation of co-created citizen science projects: The scientific community's scepticism regarding data quality and limitations within the school environment, such as curricula and logistical constraints.