How citizen science will save the planet

Ponder for a moment this quote written by Aldo Leopold in the late 1940s: “We can be ethical only in relation to something we can see, feel, understand, or otherwise have faith in.” Food for thought, especially if you are a citizen scientist like I am. And even more so if you are a citizen … Read more “How citizen science will save the planet”

Categories: Biology, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Science Education Standards, Science Policy

Join The Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend!

Shake off your Valentine’s Day chocolate-induced haze and break out those binoculars: The Great Backyard Bird Count 2011 takes place this Friday through next Monday, February 18 to 21. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event during which bird watchers count birds to create a real-time snapshot of where birds are located … Read more “Join The Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend!”

Categories: Animals, Biology, Birds, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors

The first class of Citizen Scientists: Faculty perspective

As we mentioned in an earlier post, Bard College recently created an intensive three-week program in citizen science to be taken by all freshmen each January. I was able to discuss the tremendously successful inaugural session with one of the program’s instructors, Dr. Kate Seip. Seip, a postdoctoral researcher at The Rockefeller University, had participated … Read more “The first class of Citizen Scientists: Faculty perspective”

Categories: Biology, Citizen Science, Science Education Standards

Want to “geocache” wildlife? There’s an App for that!

Ever spotted an amazing critter and wanted to tell your nature-loving friends where it was located? Ever wondered where you could view a white-tailed jackrabbit? WildObs is the app for you! Short for “wildlife observations,” the WildObs website and suite of iPhone and Android apps allow nature enthusiasts to record wildlife observations and then share … Read more “Want to “geocache” wildlife? There’s an App for that!”

Categories: Animals, Apps, Biology, Birds, Citizen Science, Computers & Technology, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors

Tuesday Trio: Roadkill, Spiders, and Water Monitoring

The Science for Citizens Project Finder is filled with hundreds of citizen science projects, and it’s growing larger every day thanks to submissions by project coordinators, volunteers, and other members of the Science for Citizens community. I’m highlighting a trio of recently added citizen science projects  to introduce you to a few new ways to … Read more “Tuesday Trio: Roadkill, Spiders, and Water Monitoring”

Categories: Animals, Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Insects, Nature & Outdoors

EteRNA: Biology plus videogames equals cutting-edge science

What class of molecules dominated the primordial stages of evolution, and seems to function as an exquisite operating system for our cells? RNA — the single-stranded cousin of DNA. Scientists suspect that a better understanding of RNAs will allow us to more deeply understand healthy cells, and to design better treatments for those infected by … Read more “EteRNA: Biology plus videogames equals cutting-edge science”

Categories: Biology, Chemistry, Citizen Science, Computers & Technology

Top Member Blog Posts of 2010

Below, I’ve listed the top 5 Science For Citizens member blog posts according to the number of visits received. It’s easy to start your very own Sci4Ctis member blog. Start sharing your adventures with other citizen scientists! 5. Rent a Remote-Controlled Telescope! From Michael It’s pretty hard to be an amateur astronomer without your own … Read more “Top Member Blog Posts of 2010”

Categories: Animals, Astronomy & Space, Biology, Birds, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, In the News, Insects, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water, Science Education Standards

Florida researchers put Cuban treefrogs on ice

We often highlight citizen science projects that ask volunteers to note where and when they see a particular animal. However, researchers at the University of Florida are asking citizen scientists to go one step further — not only does this group need help spotting invasive Cuban treefrogs, but also, they’d like you to help get … Read more “Florida researchers put Cuban treefrogs on ice”

Categories: Animals, Biology, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors

10 most visited Science for Citizens blog posts of 2010

Below, I’ve listed the top 10 Science for Citizen blog posts according to the number of visits. Thanks for joining our journey in our inaugural year. Wait until you hear what we’ve got cooking for 2011! Happy New Year from the Sci4Cits team! 10. The hummingbird versus Godzilla–on video! To fans of hummingbirds and “nature … Read more “10 most visited Science for Citizens blog posts of 2010”

Categories: Animals, Apps, Biology, Birds, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Computers & Technology, Ecology & Environment, Geology & Earth Sciences, In the News, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water, Science Education Standards

Top Citizen Science Projects of 2010

Which citizen science projects in our Project Finder were the most visited in 2010? Check out the top 10! Is your favorite on this list? If not, tell us about your favorite citizen science project(s) on your very own (free) member blog! 10. Foldit: Solve Protein Puzzles for Science Foldit is a revolutionary new computer … Read more “Top Citizen Science Projects of 2010”

Categories: Animals, Astronomy & Space, Biology, Birds, Climate & Weather, Computers & Technology, Do-It-Yourself, Ecology & Environment, Geology & Earth Sciences, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water, Physics, Science Education Standards