Students Discover New Insects Thanks to Citizen Science

Image: Adobe Stock by Studio Romantic

In their recently published article for The Conversation, Environment Institute members Dr Erinn Fagan-Jeffries and Professor Patrick O'Connor, in collaboration with Dr Trang Nguyen and Dr Andrew Howe, highlighte the incredible impact of their citizen science project “Insect Investigators”. Their work has not only supported biodiversity research but also enhances student wellbeing and engagement.

Their “Insect Investigators” has been a standout a success, winning the 2024 Australian Museum Eureka Prize, the project offered students and teachers authentic science research through hands-on methods. Students were empowered by the project enhancing their knowledge, actions and ability to promote insect conservation.

By Implementing this program, it has minimised common misconceptions about insects and their essential role in Australian ecosystems, while creating new connections between people and the insects.

With huge concern about the rapid decline of insects and the broader biodiversity crisis we face, this project has proven more important than ever. At this time, only 33% of insects in Australis have been formally identified, leaving many unrecorded.

The project involved 50 regional schools across three Australian states, students helped to collect samples using Malaise traps. These efforts contributed to the study’s aim increasing the number of DNA barcodes of arthropods in Australian public databases. Another key aim of the project was to educate students about local biodiversity, the kind that can be found on the playground at school. Survey results showed students personal values for insect-based science activities strongly aligned with their intentions to be action as environmental stewards.

Additional findings from a survey with 118 students and 22 teachers revealed:

• Students developed greater environmental awareness, while improving critical thinking skills, problem solving and proactive behaviours related to protecting biodiversity.
• Teachers were more likely to include insect-related content in lesson plans.
• A positive link was found between students’ increased attention and attitudes towards insect-related topics, which again associated with their pro-environment behaviours.

Students and teachers, particularly in more remote areas, felt thrilled being involved in a project that reached beyond the local community while contributing to national scientific efforts.

We congratulate everyone involved in this inspiring project, while it continues to benefit and impact schools, communities, and biodiversity conservation efforts across Australia.

Read The Conversation article here

Read the full study here