Youth Citizens

Youth Citizens

Youth Citizen Science and Sustainability Learning Commons

Learning to use science to understand and facilitate community-based sustainability practices in schools and communities is the focus of this Sustainability Commons Learning Project. It provides ‘tools for citizen science and sustainability’ to young people empowering them to participate in creating a more sustainable, just society. It includes participation in learning activities such as:

• Using water testing kits to audit water quality in local rivers
• Using solar technologies to cook food and boil water

• Using indicators to monitor waste production and waste management
• Conducting biodiversity audits to assess and prevent biodiversity loss
• Helping care for vulnerable animals

Youth participating in the citizen science and sustainability learning commons are encouraged to report their findings to local authorities, and to undertake action projects that address issues they have identified.

Key partners in this Sustainability Commons Learning Network include (amongst others): the Rhodes University Environmental Learning Research Centre, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), Share-Net, the South African National Biodiversity Institute, the South African Environmental Observation Network; the Makana Municipality, the SPCA, the Kowie Catchment Campaign, the Albany Museum’s Biodiversity Centre, the Eco-Schools Programme and Rhodes University Education Department Scholars. This Sustainability Commons Learning Project is a project of the Makana Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development.

Visit www.ru.ac.za/elrc [sustainability commons] to find resources, link up with networks or participate in this Sustainability Commons Learning Project.