Open Science

Trongone, Ryan; Rivera, Jose

Student Work

Open Science

Público Deposited

The general public has few opportunities to engage in meaningful scientific research outside of specialized labs. To engage citizens in the process of knowledge production, many studios and public research centers have started using DIY science. These studios combine DIY science with participatory action research to collect large amounts of data in a short period of time by using citizens to perform the experiments. For this project, our team revitalized protocols for DIY workshops that our sponsor, Studio Austen, holds for the general public. Our research involved using the principles of technical writing to compose new protocols, optimizing the display methods of our workshop templates, analyzing the accessibility and cost of workshop materials, and implementing an online survey system for participants to provide feedback on how to improve the protocols in the future. From our research and the information given from our sponsor, our team used step by step instructions with pictures on the side to simplify how to perform the workshops. For the display of the protocols, our team utilized a graphic design platform called Canva. To display our protocols we were able to create a bifold template that is visually appealing to the audience. Studio Austen already employed inexpensive materials, but we were able to identify a cost reduction on one workshop. Finally, we used an online survey platform called Epicollect5 to create a survey accessed by a QR code. With these improvements, we hope that Studio Austen will be able to encourage a relationship between the public and the environment that is based on accountability and awareness. Through the feedback system we created, Studio Austen will be able to gauge the impact that this project had on its workshop protocols.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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