ClimateWatch - Engaging Students in Citizen Science

ClimateWatch is a citizen science initiative that aims to educate people across Australia about climate change and empower them to contribute to solutions. The program uses a mobile app and web platform for users to collect phenological data on a range of species, shaping the country's scientific response to climate change. This unit engages students in real change for their local environment through case studies of flying-foxes and Shy Albatross, exploring environmental factors that impact these species and how citizen science can contribute to research and policymaking. Students use GIS and ClimateWatch data to create their own local species maps and a field guide for a ClimateWatch indicator species specific to their geography.