As a first objective, the framework “Action Competence for Insect Conservation (ACIC)” was developed based on an analysis of literature, initiatives, and an expert validation. This framework defines action competence in the field of insect conservation and summarizes relevant direct and indirect actions for insect conservation. The framework was published in May 2023.
As a second objective, a psychometric scale was developed that builds on the theoretical framework. The development process resulted in the “Self-Perceived Action Competence for Insect Conservation (SPACIC) scale“, which was piloted with 180 Swedish compulsory school students in spring 2022. The piloting data showed that the instrument has good psychometric qualities with both a high level of reliability and validity. A publication on this new instrument was submitted in spring 2023. In addition to this key quantitative instrument, qualitative interview guides were developed to investigate the development of learners’ competencies.
The third objective was to design a teaching intervention that fosters learners’ action competence, which finally resulted in an intervention called Actions for Insects. The educational design process built on the new theoretical framework. Actions for Insects educates about insects, insect decline, conservation actions, and shows how learners can track insect biodiversity as citizen scientists. Moreover, learners get the chance to plan and take their own real world actions. The full teaching design including all learning materials are published and available here: www.actionsforinsects.com. A publication on a sequence on pollination was submitted in spring 2023, and a scientific publication on the overall teaching design is in preparation.
The fourth objective was to measure the effects of the teaching intervention on learners’ action competence in a pre-post-design. Classes from four compulsory schools in a Swedish municipality took part in the Actions for Insects intervention that started in grade seven in May 2022. To measure learners’ self-perceived action competence for insect conservation, we applied the SPACIC scale (see above) in both an intervention group (190 students in pre-test, 137 students in post-test) and in a control group receiving regular biology lessons (99 students in pre-test, 86 students in post-test). The effects of the teaching intervention were also analysed qualitatively through interviews with students.
The results from the quantitative analysis show that the intervention group increased their self-perceived knowledge, confidence, and willingness to take actions significantly. In contrast to this, the effects in the control group were considerably smaller or even not significant. In summary, the self-perceived action competence in the intervention group increased with a large effect size, whereas the control group showed only a small effect. The qualitative data underscore the quantitative findings and show that students gained knowledge about relevant conservation actions and many students engaged in real world actions at home. A publication on the pre-post study will be submitted in the end of 2023.
In addition, several dissemination and communication activities were conducted during the project. The project was presented at many international scientific conferences. Moreover, a collaboration with Karlstad municipality was started, which made it possible to organize a large scale outdoor exhibition and an event week on pollinators to inform the general public. Finally, the project supported the municipality to create insect-friendly green spaces in public parks in 2023.
