A small bird eats a seed on a festive holiday table

A Six-Course Citizen Science Feast for the Holidays!

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

Falling for Fungi!

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

Catch, Document, and Release Your Florida Trophy For Research and Rewards

TrophyCatch is a project focused on turning everyday anglers into citizen-scientists! People across the state of Florida are invited to participate. It all starts with going fishing for an 8+ lbs. largemouth bass and taking photo or video documentation of the entire bass, on a scale with the weight showing. Then, the fish must be … Read more “Catch, Document, and Release Your Florida Trophy For Research and Rewards”

Categories: Biology, Project Profile

Photo of sleepy dog

What Goes On Inside the Mind of a Dog?

From the first time a curious wolf approached fearful humans and managed to befriend them, dogs have been a big part of the human experience. For over 15,000 years, they’ve been our co-workers and companions. Since then, we’ve learned a lot about dogs and our relationship to them (as you’ll learn if you watch Inside the … Read more “What Goes On Inside the Mind of a Dog?”

Categories: Animals, Biology, Citizen Science, Featured Projects, Other

Dive Into Summer Citizen Science

It’s July, ideal for cooling off with marine science exploration. In that spirit, here’s some wet and wild science research that needs your help. Sharks Are Jawsome! Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the television, it’s Shark Mania Season! If the wall to wall shark viewing frenzy puts you in … Read more “Dive Into Summer Citizen Science”

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

A firefly flashes on a black background

SciStarter Podcast: Sensations of Summer

Every season has its own unique sights, sounds and other sensations. In this episode of the SciStarter podcast, we look at fireflies, listen to cicadas, feel the ocean waves and extend our senses beyond the bounds of our planet. Audio Podcast Video Podcast Credits: Firefly Closeup Terry Priest CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Surfing Beach Video … Read more “SciStarter Podcast: Sensations of Summer”

Categories: Animals, Astronomy & Space, Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Featured Projects, Insects, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water, podcast, videos

Dragonfly sitting on a stalk of wheat

Days of Dragonflies, Fireflies and Fly Fishing

It’s the season for emergences, whether you’re a dragonfly, firefly, periodical cicada or fly fishing enthusiast! The warm weather brings a variety of citizen science opportunities, some of them fleeting, so we hope you can get outdoors and experience the wonders of nature with your friends and family, and help document them for the many … Read more “Days of Dragonflies, Fireflies and Fly Fishing”

Categories: Animals, Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Environment, Insects, Nature & Outdoors, Newsletter, Ocean & Water, Other

Cozy up to these indoor activities that actually help advance research

Hundreds of activities listed on SciStarter are designed for you to participate right from home. That’s right…you can help advance scientific research in your PJs if you want. It’s perfect now that cold weather is approaching for many of us! Here are five projects to get you started. Cheers, The SciStarter Team

Categories: Animals, Archeology, Astronomy & Space, Biology, Birds, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Education, Featured Projects

Spy on animals around the world while contributing to ecological research

You don’t need to go on a safari to see wild creatures in their natural habitats. There are a number of scientific studies of wild creatures that depend on the eyes of observers just like you. Take part to be transported (virtually) to ecosystems around the world through images and videos (sometimes even livestreams!) where … Read more “Spy on animals around the world while contributing to ecological research”

Categories: Animals, Biology, Birds, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Education, Featured Projects, Nature & Outdoors, Newsletter

Learn More About Your Health While Helping Science

With flu season right around the corner, it’s the time of year where you might be thinking about your health a little more than normal. Participating in these simple projects not only gives you access to more data on your health, it helps researchers better understand the human body. Help track disease outbreaks, sharpen your … Read more “Learn More About Your Health While Helping Science”

Categories: Biology, Citizen Science, Education, Health, podcast