Citizen laboratories in schools

Methodologies to activate community participation and engagement

Abstract

This article analyzes the experience of Spaces for Change, an initiative developed in schools in the Canary Islands that promotes active student participation through citizen laboratories. Conceived and facilitated by the Social Innovation Laboratory of the University of La Laguna (LabINS ULL) and funded by a grant from the Government of the Canary Islands, the project is grounded in the principles of social pedagogy and critical pedagogy, recognizing students as agents of change within their educational community. From a situated and practical perspective, it examines how these laboratories empower students and teachers to participate in processes of social transformation aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda. The research is based on a qualitative narrative methodology, based on testimonies, visual records, and evidence of collective actions carried out in the participating schools. The results show that school citizen labs function as pedagogical devices that foster child and youth agency, the co-creation of knowledge, and meaningful learning around social, environmental, and community challenges. Transformations are also observed in school dynamics, in the relationships between teachers and students, and in the perception of the environment as an educational space. The discussion focuses on the potential of these labs as a strategy to activate processes of critical citizenship and collective engagement from within the school. Finally, recommendations are made for their sustainability and possible adaptation to other educational contexts.