RCE KwaZulu Natal - 2023

Location

South Africa
See map: Google Maps
ZA
Piloting a remote citizen science learning system: investigating what technical obstacles emerge in a deep rural community
CSV
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Piloting a remote citizen science learning system: investigating what technical obstacles emerge in a deep rural community
Submitting RCE: 
RCE KwaZulu Natal
Contributing organization(s) : 
GroundTruth, WRC, and SAEON
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Charlene Russell
Organizational Affiliation: 
GroundTruth
E-mail: 
charlene@groundtruth.co.za
Format of project: 
manuscript
Language of project: 
English and isiZulu
Date of submission:
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
No
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Africa and Middle East
Country: 
South Africa
Location(s): 
KwaZulu-Natal, Lake Sibaya region
Address of focal point institution for project: 
9a Quarry Rd
Hilton, 3245
KZN
Ecosystem(s):
Fresh water, Wetlands
Target Audience:
Community
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
The Mabasa, Zikhali, and Tembe communities have been identified as being some of the most disadvantaged communities within South Africa, experiencing socio-economic challenges such as high unemployment and poverty. Environmentally, the region is significant, as it is one of the few regions in South Africa that is totally reliant on ground water and has no in-flowing streams. Ground water levels have decreased drastically over the last 10 years, highlighting the need for a change in practices. The communities themselves have expressed a need for engagement with citizen science, and want to participate in training in this field. The area has limited cellular network coverage and internet connection, which poses a challenge to the people that would like to participate in online learning. This research project hopes to investigate and overcome the challenges faced by a group of participants when attempting to learn about citizen science remotely.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
This region is rich in biodiversity as it falls in the eco-tone between the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Southern Africa. As such, the species found in the area are rich and the landscape diverse. The region has been long inhabited by people, but has recently seen changes in land use to less sustainable practices such as timber plantations. Compounded by the increase in local population pressures and climate change effects, there has been a greater extraction of water than what is feeding through to the groundwater reserves. The challenge is to promote sustainable practices that limit ground water extraction, use the fertile wetland areas wisely to reduce impacts on the functioning of the wetlands, and still support a young population in need of employment.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
April, 2023 to March, 2024
Rationale: 
there has been a recent push to increase the engagement of people with citizen science within an online platform as this enables more people to be reached, and limits in-person contact during times of pandemic (such as what has recently been experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic). Although the technology exists and is user-friendly, it is limited to those with access to a computer, the internet, and the technological knowledge to facilitate engagement. This research hopes to trial an online learning programme, about citizen science, within a community that has little or no access to technology, with the aim of observing what the specific challenges are and to find ways to address them.
Objectives: 
To develop a citizen science online training programme focused on the health of water systems (rivers and wetlands).
To research the challenges faced by a group of participants from a deep rural community when they attempt to use the online training.
To address the issues that surface during the training, and adapt the learning programme to overcome them in the best manner possible.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
Citizen science training using the following tools: miniSASS, clarity tube, velocity plank, E.coli test, Dragonfly Biodiversity index, Wetland Assessment Tool (miniWET-Health).
Size of academic audience: 
30
Results: 
The project is currently running.
Funding: 
This project is funded by the Water Research Commission of South Africa.

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon Gugulethu in Mabasa WWD23 celebration.jpg (1.92 MB) Community members involved in an activity investigating how wetlands function C. Russell
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
Indirect
SDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture 
Indirect
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Direct
SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all 
Indirect
SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries 
Indirect
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Indirect
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Direct
Theme
Traditional Knowledge  
Direct
Agriculture 
Direct
Curriculum Development 
Direct
Ecotourism 
Indirect
Forests/Trees 
Indirect
Plants & Animals 
Direct
Waste 
Indirect
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Indirect
Update: 
No
I acknowledge the above: 
Yes