Navigating Boundaries: Establish Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Community and Citizen Science to Address Socio-ecological Crises

This symposium examines how Community and Citizen Science (CCS) initiatives bridge diverse communities to support science learning and address pressing socio-ecological challenges in school settings. Through four case studies spanning elementary to secondary education across different cultural contexts, we explore how various partnership models between schools, research institutions, and community organizations create unique opportunities and challenges. The papers investigate how projects navigate multiple knowledge systems, support teacher learning, develop student agency, and foster environmental stewardship through different collaborative structures. Our discussion focuses on identifying essential design elements for successful school-based CCS projects and strategies for transcending boundaries between different communities while maintaining scientific rigor and creating meaningful learning experiences for all participants. We examine approaches to ensure equitable participation and sustained engagement across stakeholder groups.