Young people spend a large part of their lives in school — but too often, what they learn in science feels disconnected from the world around them. Experiments are often predictable, results discarded, and concepts can seem distant from everyday life. But what if their efforts truly mattered? What if the data they gathered helped advance scientific research and tackle real-world problems?
That’s the power of citizen science. Anyone, anywhere — including you and your students — can take part in meaningful research and make a difference.
This course is open to educators who want to bring real-world science into the classroom through citizen science. You’ll explore inspiring citizen science projects, learn how they connect to the EU’s five Missions — climate, cancer, oceans, smart cities, and soil — and discover ways to bring them into your teaching.
The course is flexible and easy to follow, with one module released weekly and a single deadline for submitting your Learning Scenario and peer review.
Imagine your students monitoring ocean pollution, tracking local wildlife, testing air quality, analysing cancer data, or examining soil health nearby — all while contributing to real research.
Let’s make it happen. Start your journey from classroom to impact!
Explain the core principles of citizen science and its value for science, society and student learning.
Evaluate citizen science projects using a variety of criteria to determine their relevance and suitability for your teaching context.
Investigate how citizen science supports and connects to the five EU Missions: oceans, smart cities, cancer, climate, and soil.
Select a citizen science project and explore how students can meaningfully contribute to an EU Mission through their participation.
Design a Learning Scenario based on an active citizen science project and the scientific inquiry process.
Prerequisites
This course is designed for primary and secondary school teachers, as well as educators at other levels. It may also interest teacher trainers, student teachers, researchers, citizen science project coordinators, and anyone curious about or involved in citizen science.
Modules
Module 1: Introduction to Citizen Science and the Five EU Missions opens on 13/10/2025
Module 2: Choosing the Right Citizen Science Project for Your Students opens on 20/10/2025
Module 3: Planning and Implementing Citizen Science Activities opens on 27/10/2025
Module 4: Assessing Students' Learning and Impact of Citizen Science Projects opens on 03/11/2025
Certification
To earn a course certificate, you need to submit a Learning Scenario and review three Learning Scenarios from other participants. The overall passing grade is 95%.
The final deadline to complete all activities is 19 November 2025, 23:59 CET.
Note to teachers from Emilia-Romagna: Per i docenti della regione Emilia-Romagna iscritti alla piattaforma regionale https://iscrizioni.istruzioneer.it/ è possibile ottenere, oltre all’attestato rilasciato da European Schoolnet Academy, anche l’attestato rilasciato dall’Ufficio Scolastico Regionale per l'Emilia-Romagna (Servizio Marconi) che attua un'azione di facilitazione ed accompagnamento a questa attività. Maggiori informazioni al link: https://bit.ly/EuroSmooc21.
Note to teachers from Ireland: It may be possible to count the completion of this course as part fulfilment of any discretionary CPD hours, subject to your school management's approval. Therefore, please enquire with your school management if your participation in this course can be formally recognised.
Course Staff
Júlia Lotina Cartanyà - Course Coordinator
Júlia is a Project Coordinator at the Science Education Department of European Schoolnet (EUN), a network of over 30 Ministries of Education based in Brussels. Júlia coordinates the Smart Connected Classrooms pilot project and Carbon Act, as well as EUN’s contributions to CROPS. She has supported the coordination the Exploring Nature-Based Solutions in Your Classroom MOOC (Rerun) and developed and coordinated the Bring the Ocean into Your School and Carbon Act: Innovative Teaching for Climate Solutions MOOCs. Júlia holds a master’s degree in Social Policy, specialising in education.
Anita Šimac - Course Moderator
Anita is a passionate mathematics teacher and mentor at Petra Preradovića Elementary and Lower Secondary School in Zadar, Croatia. As the head of the county expert council for mathematics teachers, she promotes collaboration and lifelong learning among educators. Since 2016, she has been a Scientix ambassador and a member of the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert community, using digital tools to engage and inspire her students. Anita is also a dedicated eTwinning ambassador, known for her award-winning contributions and leadership in both national and international STEM projects. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in project-based learning, where mathematics becomes a gateway to curiosity, creativity, and scientific exploration. Whether linking mathematics with art, sustainability, or real-life challenges, Anita empowers her students to see learning as an adventure. Her innovative approach continues to influence peers and pupils alike, shaping a more dynamic and connected future for education across Europe.
Behind the course
CROPS is an EU-funded Horizon Europe project that will help citizen science projects grow and have a greater impact across Europe. The project will identify citizen science initiatives with the potential to expand their impact across the 5 EU Missions — Climate Change Adaptation; Cancer; Healthy Oceans and Seas; Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities; and Soil Health — and develop practical tools, protocols, and strategies to support the expansion of these initiatives. By connecting research with society, CROPS aims to tackle major challenges and contribute to Horizon Europe’s vision of open, impactful innovation.
Scientix®, the community for science education in Europe, promotes and supports a Europe-wide collaboration among STEM teachers, education researchers, policymakers and other STEM education professionals.
Disclaimer
Project funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. This MOOC is also supported by Scientix®, an initiative of European Schoolnet.
Project funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. This MOOC is also supported by Scientix®, an initiative of European Schoolnet.