Game-based learning for engaging citizens in biopollution control

ABSTRACT

Citizens are essential for safeguarding ecosystems from biopollutants, but raising the population’s awareness of the problem through the communication of scientific discoveries about biological invasions is still a challenge. Here, we have assayed an interdisciplinary game-based method of recognizing the invasive pygmy mussel Xenosotrobus securis for volunteers of different age groups, we have measured their learning gain and engagement, and we have compared it with that obtained from conventional talk-lecture training. A highly significant positive correlation was found between knowledge gain and awareness, which were both greater in children than in adults. Similar engagement was achieved in the two age groups regarding volunteering in an eradication project. The results suggest the high efficacy of game-based training, especially in young age groups. One year after the volunteers’ action, environmental DNA surveys and visual inspections confirmed the control of the invasive species population in a defined area through time.

KEYWORDS:

• Biological invasions
• biopollutants
• marine conservation
• citizen science
• volunteer engagement
• learning gains
• awareness
• training activities

Acknowledgements

This work is a contribution from the Ocean Observatory of Asturias. The authors express their gratitude to the surf school ‘El Pez Escorpión’, the teaching staff from the Salinas High School for their help and support, and all the citizen scientists involved in this research. Special thanks to Aida D. G. for language edition.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study has been supported by the Port of Aviles (Spain) authorities (contract FUO-EM-261-15), and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Spain ) [Grant number CGL-2016-79209-R].

Notes on contributors

Laura Miralles

Laura Miralles, doctor in Biology, she is a molecular biologist specialized in marine conservation and biosecurity and a local expert in citizen science with several environmental programs enrolling children and adults. She founded a Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots group in North Spain and several NGOs to bring science closer to general public through environmental education.

Eva Garcia-Vazquez

Eva Garcia-Vazquez, is a Professor of Genetics in the University of Oviedo (Spain). Her research over the past two decades has focused on conservation biology, especially of aquatic ecosystems. Her goal is the sustainable use of natural resources. She teaches courses on evolution, genetics and biodiversity.

Eduardo Dopico

Eduardo Dopico is a Doctor in Pedagogy and professor at the University of Oviedo (Asturias-Spain), where he teaches Didactics and Educational Innovation. His lines of research are related to the teaching-learning processes in science education.