Contribution to Sustainable Education: Co-Creation Citizen Science Project About Monitoring Species Distribution and Abundance on Rocky Shores

Citizen science is not only a participatory means of contributing to scientific knowledge but also an effective approach to addressing a wide range of societal challenges. Integrating citizen science with sustainability entails leveraging public engagement in scientific research to promote sustainable practices and advance the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The degree of public participation can influence the learning outcomes achieved. This study investigated the benefits and limitations of a co-creation citizen science approach implemented in a school context for monitoring species distribution on rocky shores, aligned with SDGs 4, 13, and 14. A mixed-methods design was applied, combining questionnaires administered to students (n = 101) and in-service teachers (n = 5), participant observations of students, teachers, and researchers, and the analysis of observations submitted by students to the iNaturalist platform. The students recorded 21 valid observations, representing 13 different taxa, and developed skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and interpersonal communication. They also recognised the potential of co-creation as a means of addressing scientific questions. However, teachers reported constraints in implementing the project, notably the breadth of the school curriculum and the lack of local support. This study reinforces the potential of co-creation citizen science projects to foster sustainable education.