Blog: Citizen Science Projects, People, and Perspectives
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 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 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
By Anne Lewis, Sep 21, 2024
Freshwater macroinvertebrates. While not a household name, we’ve all experienced their impact. Ever swat a mosquito? Watched a dragonfly swoop by? Walked through a swarm of midges? Then you have seen a freshwater macroinvertebrate – albeit in its adult, terrestrial form. Freshwater macroinvertebrates are organisms that live in freshwater (lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wetlands) … Read more “MacroBlitz: Explore Freshwater Ecosystems and Contribute to Science by Tracking Macroinvertebrates”
Categories: Citizen Science, Environment, Project Profile
By Bellinda King-Kallimanis, Sep 16, 2024
This is a guest blog post by a citizen science project leader. Have you been diagnosed with lung cancer? Or are you a family member or friend of someone who has been diagnosed? Then we – the LUNGevity Foundation – would like to invite you to join our new study: Project PEER. By getting involved, … Read more “Empowering Lung Cancer Patients through Citizen Science”
Categories: Citizen Science, Project Profile
By Bob Hirshon, Sep 06, 2024
Keeping people healthy also means keeping our environment free of pollutants and limiting our exposure to disease-causing microbes. In this issue of the SciStarter newsletter, we highlight projects that need your help researching and improving human and environmental health. Try one or all of them this month, as we commemorate Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Pollution Prevention Week (Sept. … Read more “Healthy People/Healthy Planet”
Categories: Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Environment, Health, Ocean & Water
By Caroline Nickerson, Aug 20, 2024
SciStarter and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios have joined forces to create the Flyways Citizen Science Program, an initiative that aims to engage communities worldwide in the study and conservation of migratory birds. By visiting the Flyways page on SciStarter, anyone, anywhere in the world can learn more about the Flyways film, discover how to screen … Read more “Take Flight with Flyways: Libraries and Others Across the Nation Soar into Bird Citizen Science”
Categories: Birds, Citizen Science, Flyways, libraries
By Bob Hirshon, Aug 16, 2024
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
By Bob Hirshon, Aug 03, 2024
Citizen science can be a time machine, with projects that transport you to the past through fragile photographs, ancient artifacts, and hand-written records. In some cases, these items tell stories, filling in missing pieces of our history. Sometimes they hold secrets that may prove to be vital to our future. Why not make some history … Read more “Make History With Citizen Science!”
Categories: Archeology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Other
