Blog: Citizen Science Projects, People, and Perspectives
By Emma Giles, Sep 17, 2024
Half a million volunteers from 126 countries contributed more than One Million Acts of Science through nearly 1,000 scientific research projects and events in April. On behalf of SciStarter, all of our partners, and the sponsors of Citizen Science Month, we thank each and every participant. Citizen Science Month 2024 was coordinated by SciStarter and … Read more ““One Million Acts of Science” – What We Learned During Citizen Science Month April 2024”
Categories: Other
By Bob Hirshon, Dec 19, 2024
In 2024, volunteers like you made more than 2.5 MILLION data contributions to SciStarter Affiliate projects alone! Science thanks you! And while we appreciate each and every one of you, in this year-end edition of the newsletter, we highlight the top 10 participants based on data contributions. You’ll also find our Top Ten Projects based on participation … Read more “SciStarter’s Best of 2024!”
Categories: Other
By Bob Hirshon, Dec 06, 2024
Share bird watching, sky gazing, weather tracking and other citizen science passions with your friends and family, with science exploration gifts and shared adventures! Field Guide to Citizen Science Want to get your friends and family hooked on citizen science? The Field Guide to Citizen Science, co-authored by our very own Darlene Cavalier, is an accessible introduction. … Read more “Give the Gift of Citizen Science for the Holidays!”
Categories: Astronomy & Space, Birds, Calendar, Climate & Weather, Ecology & Environment, Field Guide to Citizen Science, Nature & Outdoors
By Bob Hirshon, Nov 22, 2024
Our master chefs in the SciStarter kitchen have been working overtime to bring you this delectable Thanksgiving menu, featuring citizen science projects guaranteed to satisfy even the most insatiable curiosity. Hors d’oeuvres: Nature’s Notebook At Nature’s Notebook, nature is always in season; currently, the program features the spicy flavors of autumn! Deepen your connection with … Read more “A Six-Course Citizen Science Feast for the Holidays!”
Categories: Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Health, Nature & Outdoors, Newsletter, Other
By Darwin's Ark, Nov 14, 2024
Have you watched your cat make a beeline for an empty box or zoom around the room after a nap and wondered: why do they do that? Scientists have pondered the same questions, but there are few definitive answers. Despite being our companions for centuries, our scientific understanding of cats is surprisingly sparse. This knowledge … Read more “Darwin’s Cats: Using Citizen Science to Crack the Cat Code”
Categories: Animals, mammals, Project Profile
By Bob Hirshon, Nov 07, 2024
To paraphrase Joyce Kilmer, you’ll never see a newsletter as lovely as a tree, but this newsletter should inspire you to go out and not only appreciate trees, but help scientists working to understand and protect them. You’ll track down endangered trees for TreeSnap; monitor urban trees for iSeaTree; learn about trees with the Girl Scout … Read more “Be a Tree Champion!”
Categories: Other
By Bob Hirshon, Oct 30, 2024
Bats, spiders, cemeteries, unseen creatures living in our homes– even roadkill– have stories to tell and important lessons to teach us. Go a little batty! You don’t need your own belfry to watch fascinating bats; you can join Bats Count! Bat Cam Emergence Count and watch them leave their Connecticut barn every evening through the project’s live … Read more “Bats, Spiders and Cemeteries”
Categories: Other
By Caroline Nickerson, Oct 19, 2024
As I speak today at the Boston Youth Climate Summit, hosted by the Museum of Science, Boston (MOS), I reflect on the power of citizen science to equip communities to address climate resilience. Climate resilience refers to our capacity to deal with the impacts of climate-related hazards — including extreme heat, floods, droughts, sea level … Read more “Citizen Science & Climate Resilience: A Reflection for the Boston Youth Climate Summit”
Categories: Citizen Science, Events
By Bob Hirshon, Oct 16, 2024
For thousands of years, people have been using fungi to bake bread and brew beer (yeasts), as nutritious foods (mushrooms and truffles), and, more recently, as a source of life-saving antibiotics (penicillin, neomycin and many more). And yet, an estimated 95% of all fungus species remain undiscovered. Fortunately, thousands of energetic citizen scientists like you … Read more “Falling for Fungi!”
Categories: Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Environment, Nature & Outdoors
By Sarah Tribelhorn, Oct 14, 2024
In my role as the Sciences and Sustainability Librarian at San Diego State University (SDSU), I have been looking for ways to forge partnerships and collaborations in my community to support engagement and resilience. This community includes our students, faculty, and staff, as well as the broader community. As the liaison librarian to several STEM … Read more “Making a Difference: Citizen Science Programming in an Academic Library”
Categories: Other
By Caroline Nickerson, Oct 09, 2024
As I reflect on the incredible journey of the Unique Mappers Network of Nigeria and SciStarter’s role in supporting their efforts, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement. The story of our collaboration is one of grassroots empowerment, global citizen science, and a shared commitment to making a measurable difference in the world. I am unbelievably … Read more “Unique Mappers of Nigeria and SciStarter: A Collaborative Journey in Citizen Science”
Categories: Citizen Science, Events
