Introducing Citizen Science in Portuguese high school Cidadania e Desenvolvimento subject : the AGEO App and natural risks

Resumo alargadoSUMMARY: The concept of Citizen Science and Citizen Observatories can be successfully addressed in the Portuguese school in the subject Cidadania e Desenvolvimento since its goals include providing students from an early age with tools to become proactive and engaged citizens. Nowadays, advantages can be taken with the common use of smartphones by youngsters, with friendly Apps that are easy to use and can be targeted to help students realizing the importance of social engagement. The App AGEO, under development within the scope of the Project AGEO – Platform for Atlantic Geohazard Risk Management, targets natural hazards such as tsunamis, earthquakes, rock falls, sinkholes or dolines, volcanic eruptions, floodings, landslides, river and marine floodings and building settlements and is a tool that allows citizens to participate in identification and reporting. This type of tools is perfectly adequate to be addressed in the content of the subject Cidadania e Desenvolvimento.