Singing along to science

Songs have helped me remember a lot of academic information – from learning all 50 states* in alphabetic order when I was in elementary school to figuring out which French verbs take “être” (to be) in the past tense by humming  “Heigh Ho” from the musical Snow White. My science classes got in on the … Read more “Singing along to science”

Categories: Astronomy & Space, Biology, Chemistry, Citizen Science, Do-It-Yourself, Physics, Science Education Standards

“It’s like CSI for animals!”

Yet another reason to visit to Seattle (one of these days!). The Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center,  a partnership between the National Audubon Society and the City of Seattle, Department of Parks and Recreation, invites citizen scientists to help track the DNA–and thereby the mating habits–of Bald Eagles. Putting it bluntly, the scientists want … Read more ““It’s like CSI for animals!””

Categories: Biology, Birds, Citizen Science

Loony days and weed watching in Glacier National Park

High in the mountains of Montana’s Glacier National Park, rangers need the help of citizen scientists like you to keep an eye on local flora and fauna. As a trained volunteer, you can help survey the loon population at many of the park’s stunning alpine lakes. As you hike, keep an ear out for the … Read more “Loony days and weed watching in Glacier National Park”

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

Look and listen to the cosmos to help space scientists

For those of you sleepless people who want to learn a bit about stars and help scientists at the same time, consider joining the Great World Wide Star Count taking place from October 29 through November 12, 2010. In order to participate, download the star count’s activity guide to determine which constellation you should observe. … Read more “Look and listen to the cosmos to help space scientists”

Categories: Astronomy & Space, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather

Meet Our Festival Collaborators: Lindsay from Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary

The USA Science and Engineering Festival Expo is just two days away, and Science for Citizens is excited to be partnering with several fantastic citizen science organizations for our exhibit. Today, I’d like to introduce you to Lindsay from Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, an estuarine site in the state of Maryland about 20 miles east of … Read more “Meet Our Festival Collaborators: Lindsay from Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary”

Categories: Animals, Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Insects, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water, Science Education Standards, USA Science and Engineering Festival

Meet Our Festival Collaborators: Mary from Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology

In preparation for this weekend’s USA Science and Engineering Festival Expo, we’re featuring short Q&As with our collaborating partners, so you’ll know exactly what to expect at the Science for Citizens exhibit. Today, I’d like to introduce you to Mary from Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology. She’ll be your go-to expert on all things birds. Stop … Read more “Meet Our Festival Collaborators: Mary from Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology”

Categories: Animals, Biology, Birds, Citizen Science, Nature & Outdoors, USA Science and Engineering Festival

Meet Our Festival Collaborators: Anne from Earthwatch

The USA Science & Engineering Festival culminates this weekend, October 23-24, with a ginormous Expo featuring over 1,500 fun activities on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The Science for Citizens team will be there to host our very own exhibit, which will feature several partner citizen science organizations and opportunities to participate in real, … Read more “Meet Our Festival Collaborators: Anne from Earthwatch”

Categories: Animals, Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Science Education Standards, USA Science and Engineering Festival

After a clue on colony collapse, what’s status of honey bees?

The mysterious widespread deaths of honey bees over the last four years has been a great worry, both to backyard gardeners and large agricultural companies. That’s why it was such welcome news last week when Army scientists in Maryland and bee experts in Montana reported they had discovered a likely cause: a fatal combination of … Read more “After a clue on colony collapse, what’s status of honey bees?”

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

We’re all experts! Wait…is that a good thing?

On Thursday, October 14, ScienceForCitizens.net will host a panel discussion in partnership with George Mason University, Discover Magazine, and the USA Science and Engineering Festival. The discussion, which is a preamble to the USA Science and Engineering Festival, will focus on the potential and the perils of turning everyone into an expert. The timing is … Read more “We’re all experts! Wait…is that a good thing?”

Categories: Citizen Science, Science Policy, USA Science and Engineering Festival