Researchers created a public participatory science project around the total solar eclipse that crossed North America in 2024. They recruited 528 volunteers aged 8 to 80, gave them online training to identify animal behaviors, and asked them to record those behaviors before, during and after the eclipse. Volunteers then completed a detailed survey about their experience and observations. The research team analysed the observations to see whether animal behaviour changed during the event.
The survey measured participants’ sense of awe during the eclipse, their feelings of science belonging (how much they felt they fit in during science activities) and any change in their science identity (how much they see science as part of who they are). Results showed increases in both identity and belonging, and the data indicated that awe played a substantial mediating role: people who experienced eclipse totality reported significantly greater awe than those who saw a partial eclipse, and greater awe was linked to larger increases in identity and belonging.
The study also found that volunteers who recorded unusual animal behaviour reported higher awe, even when they were not aware their observations were unusual. The researchers note that a single, short experience was enough to produce meaningful changes across ages; these changes did not require long-term study or formal training. The project was hosted on SciStarter and the paper appears in People and Nature.
- Coauthors include scientists from NC State.
- Also involved: New York Institute of Technology and Illinois State University.
- Source: North Carolina State University.
Difficult words
- participatory — involving ordinary people directly in a project
- volunteer — a person who offers help without payvolunteers
- awe — a strong feeling of respect and wonder
- mediate — to act between things to influence a resultmediating
- belonging — a feeling of acceptance within a group
- totality — the time when the sun is completely covered
- identity — a person's sense of who they are
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How might taking part in a short public science project change a person's view of science? Give reasons.
- Why do you think seeing a total eclipse could produce more awe than seeing a partial eclipse?
- What are the benefits and possible limitations of using volunteer observations to study animal behaviour during rare events?
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