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Youth participatory action research: Integrating science learning and civic engagement

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Authors

Steven M. Worker , UC Cooperative Extension
Dorina Espinoza, UC Cooperative Extension
Car Mun Kok, UC Davis
Sally E. Neas, UC Cooperative Extension
Martin H. Smith, UC Davis

Publication Information

California Agriculture 77(2):74-82. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0009

Published online September 08, 2023

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Abstract

Strengthening young people's scientific literacy and civic engagement are important educational goals for Cooperative Extension. We implemented youth participatory action research (YPAR) projects over three years at five schools. The YPAR approach integrates science learning and civic engagement by empowering youth, with the help of adult facilitators, to decide upon a community issue to research, design and implement their research, and then plan a service project based on research findings to address the issue. We explored young people's and educators' perspectives on which project elements influenced youth participation, examined opportunities for youth science and civic-related learning, and asked educators to reflect on their own learning and development. Using data generated from youth focus groups and educator interviews, we found that YPAR grounds science learning in young people's lived experience. It also provides a meaningful approach to science learning through raising young people's critical consciousness of community issues. YPAR may be used in other extension programs to increase motivation for deeper and sustained participation in learning experiences.

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Youth participatory action research: Integrating science learning and civic engagement

Steven M. Worker, Dorina M. Espinoza, Car Mun Kok, Sally E. Neas, Martin H. Smith
Webmaster Email: bjnoel@ucanr.edu

Youth participatory action research: Integrating science learning and civic engagement

Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article
Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article

Authors

Steven M. Worker , UC Cooperative Extension
Dorina Espinoza, UC Cooperative Extension
Car Mun Kok, UC Davis
Sally E. Neas, UC Cooperative Extension
Martin H. Smith, UC Davis

Publication Information

California Agriculture 77(2):74-82. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0009

Published online September 08, 2023

PDF  |  Citation  |  Permissions

NALT Keywords

Author Affiliations show

Abstract

Strengthening young people's scientific literacy and civic engagement are important educational goals for Cooperative Extension. We implemented youth participatory action research (YPAR) projects over three years at five schools. The YPAR approach integrates science learning and civic engagement by empowering youth, with the help of adult facilitators, to decide upon a community issue to research, design and implement their research, and then plan a service project based on research findings to address the issue. We explored young people's and educators' perspectives on which project elements influenced youth participation, examined opportunities for youth science and civic-related learning, and asked educators to reflect on their own learning and development. Using data generated from youth focus groups and educator interviews, we found that YPAR grounds science learning in young people's lived experience. It also provides a meaningful approach to science learning through raising young people's critical consciousness of community issues. YPAR may be used in other extension programs to increase motivation for deeper and sustained participation in learning experiences.

Full text

Full text is available in PDF.

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