Broadening Participation in Community Scientific Endeavors

For a citizen science program to attract and sustain interest across diverse participants, the project must be inclusive, meaningful and relevant to each individual, their community, and to science. As we design citizen science programs, be it for K12 educators and students, networks of local observers, or communities, we must critically examine our approach through lenses of justice, equity, inclusion and access. Do we know what the needs are of the full range of potential participants? How do we find out and how can we be responsive to these needs? Can we meet their needs while maintaining the needs of our research? Who has a voice at the table at the inception of the project? Are trusting, respectful and reciprocal relationships being cultivated? Are we open to different perspectives and knowledge systems that the full range of potential participants bring? How do we build on the knowledge and experience they bring and recognize their contributions to the project? We will share how we have responded to these questions in two projects: the Arctic and Earth STEM Integration of GLOBE and NASA assets and the NSF Arctic Harvest-Winterberry project that we have engaged Indigenous students and communities in Alaska and beyond, based on key issues of climate impacts on food security, infrastructure and life ways.