Citizen observatories provide an innovative learning environment by allowing participation in scientific research projects. One example is the CITCLOPS project, which designed the KdUINO buoy for measuring water quality through citizen science. The buoy uses open hardware and software, allowing makers to modify it and observers to collect data accessible to all. Citizen observatories offer roles for makers, observers, and analyzers and provide learning through research, cooperation, technology, and sustainability education. Challenges include careful activity design, teacher training, flexible school organization, cooperation, and resources.

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Design of innovative learning environments in the context of
developing a Citizen Observatory
J. Piera1, E. Jurado3,4, J. M. Mominó2, C. Simon1, R. Bardají1
1: Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), 2: Open University of Catalonia (UOC), 3: 1000001 Labs, 4: La Miranda School
email: jpiera@icm.csic.es
The KdUINO buoy was
developed under the
FP7 European project
CITCLOPS
www.citclops.e u
Makers
Buoy Developers (DIY)
Observers
Buoy users
Analysers
Data explorers
& validators
The roles in Citizen Observatories, an example in the European project CITCLOPS
The project CITCLOPS (Citizens'Observatory for Coast andOcean Optical Monitoring) was conceived to evaluate water quality through citizen participation. One of the devices
designed in CITCLOPS was the KdUINO buoy (Bardaji et al., 2016), designed to measure water transparency at different water depths. This easy-to-build DIY buoy made it
possible to develop theidea of thedifferent roles of participation in learning environments, promoting cooperation and collaboration.
• Makers developed their own KdUINO buoy and modifed it to improveits features, as the system was developed in a fully open environment (open hardware and software).
• Observers provided observations. The data collected by these buoys is stored in open servers and is accessible anyone interested in using it. The transmission of the data
was based on Arduino open-source platform.
• Analysers interpreted or validated existing information.
• Citizen Observatories arethe technological platforms where a diverse range of
tools are developed (web portals, smartphone apps, electronic devices) that
allow the development of citizen science projects. The Citizen Observatories
therefore offer an environment where people can participate in citizen
science projects.
• Five Citizen Observatory projects were funded by the EU as part of the topic
ENV. 2012.6.5-1 "Developing community based environmental monitoring and
information systems using innovative and novel earth observation applications”
(http://www.citizen-obs.eu/)
WHAT ARE CITIZEN OBSERVATORI ES?
INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS AN INNOVATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?
HOW A CITIZEN OBSERVATORY CAN ACT AS AN INNOVATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?
CONCLUSIONS & CHALLENGES
REFERENCES
• Analyse and design new methodologies
around the concept of Citizen Observatories
as an innovative learning environment.
• We are facing the challenge of promoting a more holistic model of education, able to break the dicotomy between cognitive, emotional and
ethical aspects (OECD, 2009).
• We are in a world that is highly interconnected and under pressure, especially in matters of sustainability. It is thus essential to educate
citizens to be responsible for economic growth guided by responsible environmental management and social justice (UNESCO, 2015).
• The dynamics of the economy of knowledge depend more than ever on effective organisation of education.
OBJECTIVE
• Forms learners giving them the skills theXXI Century requires: new ways of thinking (includes
skills such as creativity, critical thinking, innovation and problem solving) new ways of
working (requires communication and collaboration), new tools to work (such as new ICT and
computer literacy) and new forms of live in the world (citizenship skills, personal and social
responsibility, adaptability, persistence, empathyand ethics).
• Leaves behind teaching practices that were strongly established in the Industrial Society, with
its model of a transmisive and academicist school.
• Has an organizational model that favours interconnections and interdisciplinarity among
education centres.
• Has a humanist focus of education, integrated with sustainability: ”learning to live together has
to include a concern for the relationship of society with the natural environment”
Citizen Observatories are an opportunity for:
Ø Learning based on research
Ø Learning and Service
Ø Cooperative learning
Ø Learning with technology
Ø New learning scenarios
Ø Educate citizens concerned about sustainable development
This concept of science offers great possibilities as an educational experience, precisely due to the opportunities offered by the participation of the people, with different levels
and roles and therefore, it is assumed interms of active collaboration of thecitizens, inshared processes of knowledge creation. A pilot was developed in the high school Institut
Ramon Berenguer IV d’Amposta.
• Citizen Observatories can provide an innovative learning environment a
valuable educational platform for obtaining life skills. There the students have
the opportunity to actively participate in the process of scientific research and
work for sustainability, collecting, interpreting or analysing data.
• A careful design of the pedagogic activities carried out in these observatories.
• Teaching staff with the necessary training.
• Education centres organized with sufficient versatility so that Citizen Observatories can
properly integrate them into them.
• Incorporate authentic cooperation in the activities.
• Time, knowledge and economic resources to access or purchase technological equipment.
An effective Citizen Observatory requires: