Five Things We Learned from GROW’s first online course, From Soil To Sky
What we learnt and people we met during the first public activity of the GROW Observatory.
Our first online course, From Soil To Sky, came to a close last week.
Over three weeks, the first cohort of GROWers came together to discover essential knowledge on soil, which will be of use to all growers — they also started making observations that will be central to the GROW Observatory in the coming years.
1,840 people joined our first online course, starting 8 May 2017, and this is only our first small step, before we roll out the full GROW experience in Spring 2018.
A big idea for smaller growing spaces – getting to know the first GROWers
The joy for us in the GROW team has been getting to know the first cohort of people joining the GROW community. People’s motivations ranged from increasing yields and preserving soils for future generations to learning more about the science of soils and contributing to science challenges.
“This is my first introduction to the notion of citizen science. I believe in the power of collaboration, based on the deliberate pursuit of a sustainable future for our planet. I fancy the idea of being part of collecting, analysing and sharing information to create an enabling environment and most importantly, an informed citizenry across the globe.” Colin August, May 2017
For Colin August there is a sense of a bigger purpose — to build “an informed citizenry across the globe,” and likewise for Christina Chrisoula — to “bring change at a local level.”
Have a look at this fascinating map — it shows where many course participants pinned their location around the world.
Can you spot any GROWers near you? Even though the course could not get more international — we had people from Honolulu to the Azores — it also had a real local flavour. Some old friends found each other while on the course and some participants got in touch with others taking part who were based in the same local projects.
Using citizen science to help us grow more sustainably
On the course, we learnt how readily accessible science can help us understand and improve our soils and growing, and how, in turn, all of us can make valuable contributions to this knowledge through citizen science projects.
As Naomi van der Velden, one of the course educators, explains, GROW’s vision is to empower growers to make sense of the datasets they are collectively creating and using them to improve their growing practices:
“Through GROW, we are certainly keen to both help people to do and understand their own research, and contribute to the bigger picture in terms of evidence and advice.” Naomi van der Velden, May 2017
For many, GROW is a first introduction to citizen science. It’s a way to bring individual efforts together for learning and science purposes. Others among this first cohort are already actively involved in citizen science projects. They told us GROW offers them a new opportunity to expand their role as citizen scientists with a more hands-on and long term approach.
Linking what you do locally to changes we need globally
An aim in GROW is to enable growers to close the gap between science and their growing practices. Together we will make links between what you do on a local level, and changes that need to be made globally. Christina pointed out growers are more likely to be motivated to adopt more sustainable practices when they are clear about the benefits of doing so:
“I have never participated in a citizen science project but I’m more than willing to do so in GROW. I do believe that science is the driving force of humanity. However, in most cases science is a vague and alienated idea for most people. Citizen science bridges exactly this gap. It brings science to people and people to science. In a more specific context, I strongly believe that farmers and food growers need to acquire access to scientific data, given in a comprehensible way. And what is more important than soil to those who use it to produce our food? Also, I have found that when farmers are presented with measurable data from someone with personal experience, they are more willing to reconsider their practices. So apart from contributing to GROW project and database, I also aspire, as a young farmer, to bring change at a local level. I’m currently reading a book on permaculture, and some words quoted in it have been a real inspiration for me: “Our old world is dying, this is for sure. But a new one is being born” (my translation). So yes, I want to be part of this change :)” Christina Chrisoula, May 2017
Building a groundswell of public support for scientific research
Some of the big debates in citizen science were discussed by GROWers, such as its potential to democratise science, what is needed for citizen contributed data to be trusted and used alongside ‘official’ science, and the benefits of more people understanding the scientific process. One learner, Daniel Paquette, made the case for building a groundswell of public support for scientific research:
“You are right, citizen science can’t do everything needed in every scientific field. Yet, we must admit that ultimately founding (sic.) come from people. If we involve more people, they will have a greater understanding of the scientific process, its limits and possibilities. We need an all new class of people putting pressure on our governments. If people don’t understand in which way science is important to them, why would they want any government to put their money in it? In my view, democratizing science is the best chance to get funding for scientific research.” Daniel Paquette, May 2017
This cuts to the heart of the GROW project, a “citizens’ observatory” funded by the European Commission to demonstrate citizens can make meaningful contributions to earth observation.
Harnessing open knowledge and social learning
In GROW, we champion the power of open knowledge and social learning. So we were thrilled to see how participants helped each other and shared results and resources:
“Carlos, I don’t like double posting a link but it might help in this case. On Monday I put a page up showing my results — the sand was very visible then a brown layer and then nothing bar the flowing organic material. However, after a day I could see three layers. If you use the link below you’ll see my jar after an hour then after 24hrs. I’d have missed this if I hadn’t wiggled when drawing the line! Hope this helps. https://jensjardin.wordpress.com/soil-test-and-preparing-a-raised-bed/” Jennifer Jolly, May 2017
Some spread the knowledge further writing about their experience of GROW on their blogs. Many are already share growing thoughts and tips on thier own blogs. Helen, another course participant, kindly shared the blog of her garden with us: http://silverbells2012.wordpress.com.
Do let us know of your projects with other networks, it would be fantastic to discuss how new collaboration can develop. As GROW moves forward, a big part will be sharing stories, so it’s great to see this is already happening.
We were delighted to read the positive feedback from participants in our first online course, you made it a fantastic, inspiring and wonderful experience:
“Same here all round. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the course and am so pleased to have learned finally what type of soil I have. I appreciated the fact that the course was very focussed but that we could work at our own pace. I’ve also enjoyed learning from the comments made by other participants. Thanks to all and I look forward to future involvement in the GROW Observatory.” Helen B., May 2017
What comes next?
The From Soil To Sky online course is just the beginning for GROW. Over the coming weeks, the focus moves to discussions on the new GROW website, before summer experiments and other missions are introduced in the weeks ahead.
There will be a live, online event on the outcomes of the From Soil To Sky online course on 29th June 12.30–13.30 BST. This webinar event will discover insights from these first observations, and chat online with the lead educators. The details on how to join will be posted to this website soon.
The GROW website is a place you can meet, interact and share ideas, tips and best practice. We have seen how learners enjoyed sharing details of growing spaces and experiences — so we have made this central to the new GROW website, so we can build over time a shared and open knowledge base.
Sign up to the GROW community and join the conversation beginning now on the GROW forum. There will be invitations to join conversations on special themes and to share your growing experience and knowledge. Your topics and interests from the online course have been our starting point. This is an opportunity to join or carry on the conversations from the online course.
We will run the From Soil To Sky online course again, and you can sign up for information on taking part by visiting the course page. Information on this and other GROW experiments and observations you can take part in will also be available on the GROW website.
