Leveraging the co-benefits of free environmental citizen science smartphone applications (apps) allows instructors of environmental studies to create an impactful hands-on learning opportunity for students while also introducing them to field research. With climate change continuing to pose serious environmental and public health challenges, in particular in disadvantaged communities worldwide, National Geographic’s Marine Debris Tracker, makes waste data collection accessible to students and the community at large. Marine Debris Tracker allows the integration of environmental data collection with classroom pedagogy, works for both in-person class and online class formats, and is scalable to different educational levels (elementary-college). In this 3-part workshop, we will first have a tutorial to using the app as well as learning about its different waste classification categories. Secondly, we will geotag waste right outside the conference grounds in Tokyo. Thirdly, we will return to our conference room and analyze the waste we geo-tagged using the app as well as its web-interface function. Just bring your smartphones and comfortable shoes, and be ready to contribute to this citizen-science movement!

Authors:
Evelyn Alvarez, California State University Los Angeles, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Evelyn Alvarez is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at California State University, Los Angeles in United States

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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