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. It contains tips on getting started, finding projects and gathering data. You’ll even find suggestions for great citizen science projects for first-timers.
Birdfeeder for Project FeederWatch
While we love squirrels, Project FeederWatch is a bird-exclusive annual event, and the dress code is “feathers only.” Spring-loaded feeders close up when heavy squirrels try to crash the party. Check out Cornell’s Project FeederWatch to learn about all types of bird feeders and foods, to select the feeder style best-suited to your avian guests.
Rain Gauge for CoCoRaHS
There’s nothing more inspiring for that weather bug on your shopping list than an official precipitation gauge for the CoCoRaHS project! Beautiful, durable, and accurate, it will make contributing local weather data to this important citizen science project a pleasure.
The Sky is Calling!
Even if you don’t absolutely need a Sky Quality Meter to participate in the Globe at Night project, you or your astronomically-inclined friend or family member will want one to collect the best possible data on light pollution in your area! Use this link to get a big SciStarter discount (and contact Anthony Tekatch at Unihedron to order multiples and save on shipping!)
What’s in Your Air?
Has Santa’s journey down your sooty chimney filled your living space with lung- threatening fine particulate matter (FPM)? You’ll know for sure with your AirBeam, a device that sucks in air and measures the sort of FPM produced by diesel engines, construction sites and fireplace visits from Santa. With Airbeam, you can join the Aircasting project, and help track air quality worldwide.
Take a Closer Look!
Dress up your friends’ and family’s naked eyes with high-quality lenses that reveal new worlds, both near and far! Stereo microscopes like this AmScope, magnify leaves, seeds and bugs with no need for slide preparation. The EyeClops lets kids get a closer look and snap photos. Close-focusing binoculars, like the Pentax Papilio II line, let you see not only birds in a tree, but butterflies sitting on your knee. And while even budget telescopes like this Celestron are a bit pricey (over $300) they can be enjoyed by the whole family.
NORAD Santa Tracking Update Video!
Watch this video short to learn how you can join the North American Aerospace Defense command (NORAD) in helping Santa and his reindeer circumnavigate the globe safely on Christmas Eve, by participating in Globe at Night, CoCoRaHS and AirCasting!
December is packed with citizen science events and programs!
Watch the SciStarter Podcast!
Watch our Thanksgiving-themed November podcast, featuring Sourdough for Science, tree-rific projects and the truth about turkey and tryptophan!
Prepare for Citizen Science Month!
We are just 4 months away from our month-long celebration of citizen science. We are again aiming for One Million Acts of Science before the end of the month. While you are enjoying the winter weather, take the time to prepare by completing the free Foundations of Citizen Science Training Module. Share it with others or present it to your community with our ready-made slide deck and facilitator guide.
Ambassadorial Ambitions?
With all the new ambassador appointments being named in Washington, are you feeling left out? Then why not apply to be a SciStarter Ambassador! Unlike being Ambassador to Aruba or Monaco, as a SciStarter Ambassador you’ll make full use of your citizen science expertise and enthusiasm at libraries and other public spaces. Applications due by January 25!
SciStarter LIVE!
Join Emma Giles and the SciStarter team Tuesdays from 2-3 PM ET, to meet inspiring project leaders, gain valuable tips for participating in citizen science projects, and discover the incredible impact your contributions can make. Join the action via Zoom or catch the live stream on SciStarter’s Facebook page
December 17th (Final LIVE of 2024)- Join the SciStarter Team for a festive Holiday Game! Test your citizen science knowledge and get into the holiday spirit as winter begins. Everyone is welcome: Invite your classroom, coworkers, and/or family to join in on the fun. Register.
In case you missed it:
Jumpstart Planning for Citizen Science Month 2025: If you are planning to help others participate in Citizen Science Month, watch our recorded webinar on how to get started. Watch on YouTube.
November 19th – Leave No Trace Announces the #LeaveNoTrash 2025 Challenge Join us to learn how your university or community can get involved! Watch on YouTube.
Project Leaders: Learn how to leverage Citizen Science Month to (re)inspire and (re)engage your volunteers! Watch on Youtube.
Upcoming opportunities:
Sign up for the Christmas Bird Count and help Audubon count birds from December 14th through January 5th. Active since 1900, the project operates in 20 countries in the Western Hemisphere. Learn More!
Veterans and Service Members! Don’t miss the two-part Do NASA Science LIVE event January 29th and April 10th for service members, veterans and their families. Meet NASA scientists and learn about citizen science projects tailored just for you! Learn more and register!
