Blog: Citizen Science Projects, People, and Perspectives
Benjamin Franklin was always curious. He loved to explore the world around him — just like the citizen scientists of today! We’re celebrating Ben Franklin this month in honor of Citizen Science Month and the new two part Ken Burns documentary, Benjamin Franklin, out now on PBS. And on April 20 at 7 pm ET, … Read more “Ben Franklin: Founding father, citizen scientist”
Categories: Citizen Science, Education, Events, Webinar
Citizen science empowers people of all backgrounds, ages and education levels to participate in real science research happening around the world. And it’s easy to get started! There are lots of fun ways you can get involved. In case you’re not sure where to start, we’ve compiled a few resources that will give you an … Read more “Citizen Science 101”
Categories: About Us, Citizen Science, Field Guide to Citizen Science
Science makes the world go round. It’s what brought us modern medicine, clean water and the technologies in our homes and in our pockets. And more and more, the pursuit of science is all about information. Sometimes, scientists need more information than they can collect on their own. Medical researchers want more information about people’s … Read more “How to Be a Citizen Scientist: A Beginner’s Guide”
Categories: About Us, Citizen Science, Citizen Science Month
A glimpse at the temperature during the next snowfall might surprise you: It may not actually be below freezing outside. Don’t worry, your thermometer isn’t broken, and you didn’t miss a memo about a change in the laws of physics. There’s a straightforward reason why it can snow above 32°F — though it does make … Read more “How can it snow when temperatures are above freezing? Mountain Rain or Snow has the answer — and wants your help studying it”
Categories: Citizen Science, Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water, Other
Did you know that in nearly every county across the U.S., there’s an office working on programs for youth development, agriculture, landscaping, health and wellness, community development, natural resource conservation and more? They’re all part of what’s called the Cooperative Extension, or “Extension” for short. They’re one of the most far-reaching, non-formal educational programs there … Read more “The People’s University: Cooperative Extension’s Role with Citizen Science”
Categories: Citizen Science, Education, Nature & Outdoors, University
This post is based on the latest episode of our podcast, Citizen Science: Stories of Science We Can Do Together! In it, host Bob Hirshon talks with researchers reaching out to citizen scientists to help track infectious disease, create a national bank of biosamples and better understand neuromuscular mobility issues. Listen here: Citizen Science: Stories … Read more “Citizen Scientists Help Researchers Track Disease”
Categories: Citizen Science, Health, NNLM, podcast
The curved arm of Cape Cod jutting out into the Atlantic with 560 miles of beautiful coastline hints at the Cape’s glacial beginnings and its vulnerability to sea levels, now rising as a direct result of climate change. A disappearing island, a lost clam shack and a Beluga whale found in landlocked Vermont were all … Read more “Sea Level Rise Citizen Science with the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History”
Categories: Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Ocean & Water
How do you get people to care about the invisible? Watersheds are difficult to see, except for those who are conversant with hydrology or topographic maps. As much a geographic concept as a landform, watersheds are unlike hills or valleys or plains in that watersheds do not have a shape that is familiar to us. … Read more “Watershed Citizen Science with the South Dakota Discovery Center”
Categories: Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment
This post is based on the latest episode of our podcast, Citizen Science: Stories of Science We Can Do Together! In it, co-host Bob Hirshon and Caroline Nickerson discuss some of the inspiring citizen science work conducted under the auspices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Listen here: Citizen Science: Stories of Science … Read more “Exploring Earth with NOAA Citizen Science”
Categories: Apps, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Ecology & Environment, Education, Environment, Featured Projects, Geology & Earth Sciences, Ocean & Water, Other, podcast
We’re sure sick of this pandemic, and we bet you are, too. Luckily, there’s a citizen science project for that: With Eterna, participants play a game that helps researchers study how mRNA works (which some COVID vaccines are made of). But COVID isn’t the only health issue you can tackle with citizen science. Projects let … Read more “Help improve health around the world with these projects!”
Categories: Citizen Science, Featured Projects, Health, Newsletter
