Shark Week: A Feeding Frenzy for Citizen Scientists

That’s right–it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for. It’s Shark Week, and SciStarter has a slew of projects for you to try out. Let’s see if you bite. Whether it’s fascination or fear, the sight of a shark makes our hearts skip a beat. Thanks to these featured citizen science projects, that sight can also … Read more “Shark Week: A Feeding Frenzy for Citizen Scientists”

Categories: Animals, Apps, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water

Sevengill shark

More Gills or Eyes? The Purported Increase of Sevengill Shark Populations off the Coast of San Diego

Emerging technologies have a profound effect on how citizen scientists conduct their work. An underwater creature of ancient lineage helps to tell this modern story of technology’s importance to citizen science. Notorynchus cepedianus, the sevengill shark, of the ancient Hexanchidae family (cow sharks), features seven gill slits and a single dorsal fin, giving a prehistoric … Read more “More Gills or Eyes? The Purported Increase of Sevengill Shark Populations off the Coast of San Diego”

Categories: Animals, Apps, Citizen Science, In the News, Ocean & Water

Smartphone apps for field biologists!

We thought you might enjoy this list of  apps and other resources for field biologists (and citizen scientists!). This list was created by emilio m. bruna and his class at the University of Florida (Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation): http://brunalab.org/apps/

Categories: Apps

Last chance to vote in the International Space Apps Challenge!

By Nick Fordes 2,083 citizens and scientists representing 111 different organizations collaborating on 71 challenges to produce over 100 innovative solutions to issues at home on earth and in space! Wow! Citizen science was really in full gear during last month’s International Space App Challenge. The NASA-lead project was a huge success and created a … Read more “Last chance to vote in the International Space Apps Challenge!”

Categories: Apps, Computers & Technology

Citizen Science Test Drive: Apps for birding.

The first blog post in our new series titled “Citizen Science Test Drive,” (where we present first-person reviews of citizen science apps, tools and platforms) featured reviews of three nature apps by SciStarter contributor Lisa Gardner.  Today, we bring you Kate Atkins, a regular SciStarter contributor and avid birder. Here, Kate shares her list of … Read more “Citizen Science Test Drive: Apps for birding.”

Categories: Apps, Birds, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors

Citizen Science Test Drive: Three Mobile Apps for Exploring Nature

Today, we are launching a  series of SciStarter blog posts titled, “Citizen Science Test Drive” where we will present first-person reviews of citizen science apps, tools and platforms. If you would like to contribute to this series and share your experiences with our community, email john@scistarter.com. Here’s my review of three mobile apps for exploring … Read more “Citizen Science Test Drive: Three Mobile Apps for Exploring Nature”

Categories: Apps, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment

Leafsnap: a mobile app to identify tree species

I love being in the outdoors amongst nature – but then who doesn’t? I also have a fascination for all things technological. Sadly, all too often these two passions are incompatible. For as us techie-lovers know, too many an hour can be spent cooped up inside staring at a computer screen. The emergence of the … Read more “Leafsnap: a mobile app to identify tree species”

Categories: Apps, Biology, Computers & Technology, Ecology & Environment, Guest Contributor, Nature & Outdoors, Science Education Standards

OpenSignalMaps: Mapping the world’s signal strength

At OpenSignalMaps, we’re mapping cell signal strength and wifi access points. Through our Android application, 400,000 users have submitted readings — from the remote island of Svalbard north of Norway to Ushaia, the world’s southernmost town, our maps are filling out. We’re building an impartial view of the world’s networks. For many people, a smartphone will … Read more “OpenSignalMaps: Mapping the world’s signal strength”

Categories: Apps, Citizen Science, Computers & Technology, Guest Contributor