Impacts of COVID-19 on UK environmental science engagement projects

Hobbs, Laura; Stevens, Carly; Fletcher-Wood, Rowena

Abstract

In February-March 2020, ‘Investing in the Future of Science’ collected data on environmental science engagement with UK school-aged children. The UK then entered its first COVID-19 national lockdown. Larger or wider-reaching projects appeared more likely to retain staff to report impacts to a second survey, exploring how the pandemic changed environmental science engagement. While some were able to adapt to new ways of working and even expand reach and develop new skills, no projects reported only positive impacts; most indicated negative effects and ongoing uncertainty. However, adaptations demonstrated positives that could be taken forward post-pandemic, strengthening provision and building resilience.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 29, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 1, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 4, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 22, 2024
• Electronic ISSN: 0036-6811
• Publisher: Association for Science Education
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 105
• Issue: 391
• Pages: 15-21
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/12033727
• Publisher URL: https://www.ase.org.uk/resources/school-science-review/issue-391/impacts-of-covid-19-uk-environmental-science-engagement