Centre for Social Studies leads project to promote citizen science in education

On 1 September 2024, the Centre for Social Studies (CES) at the University of Coimbra launched the ATHENE project: Citizen Science as a Methodology for Developing Skills in Children and Youth. This three-year research project will develop an innovative pedagogical tool for classroom use, providing free resources on a digital platform, including self-learning modules, support materials, teacher training and digital portfolios for students.

ATHENE encourages collaboration between students, teachers, and researchers in conducting school-based research. Students are at the core of this process, enjoying greater freedom to learn by applying the principles of citizen participation in scientific research. This approach enables them to develop critical skills while fostering autonomy.

The project values the skills, knowledge and experience of each student as central to the teaching and learning process. Participants learn to think critically about their education and may even become mentors to other young people. The initiative seeks to enhance key skills such as initiative, autonomy, and creativity, engaging students from primary to secondary and vocational education, thereby showing its commitment to new teaching and learning methods."

Aligned with the Students’ Profile by the End of Compulsory Schooling (Perfil dos Alunos à Saída da Escolaridade Obrigatória – PASEO), the project complements other efforts to promote pedagogical innovation in Portugal and internationally.

Following meetings with schools, teachers and representatives of the partner communities, activities are now underway in schools in the district of Coimbra: Coimbra, Cantanhede, Mortágua and Pampilhosa da Serra.

ATHENE is coordinated by CES in collaboration with the Faculty of Economics of the University of Coimbra, with funding from Portugal2030-CENTRO2030-Portugal. Seven organisations are co-investors: Fundação "la Caixa"/Banco BPI, União de Freguesias de Coimbra, Municipality of Cantanhede, Municipality of Pampilhosa da Serra, Municipality of Mortágua, Fundação Bissaya Barreto and Combo Ltd.

The project is also supported by the University of Coimbra and several organisations, including the Directorate-General for Education, the Directorate-General for Schools, the National Strategy for Combating Poverty, the Portuguese Institute for Sport and Youth, the Institute for Child Support, the Youth Foundation, the CES Observatory for Education and Training Policies, the European Research Infrastructure OPERAS and the Collaborative Laboratory Pro-Child.

ATHENE is led by researchers Cláudia Pato de Carvalho and Rita Campos. The team also includes Ana Maria Seixas, Fernando Fontes, Miguel Cardina, Rosa Monteiro and Sofia Gonçalves.

^{Translation: Diana Taborda}