The importance of thinking scientifically

What does it mean to think scientifically? If you asked me this question when I first moved back to New York three years ago, I’m quite positive I would have said something like, “What do I know? I’m not a scientist,” and pointed the questioner in the direction of the nearest pocket-protecting nerd in the … Read more “The importance of thinking scientifically”

Categories: Astronomy & Space, Biology, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Do-It-Yourself, Ecology & Environment, Physics, Science Education Standards

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

Snowed In? Contribute to Science!

As record levels of snow blanket much of the United States this year, Science For Citizens is collaborating with an important climate research project at the University of Waterloo called Snow Tweets. We’re pleased that this is the first of many scientific projects that you’ll be able to do on Science for Citizens. To help researchers … Read more “Snowed In? Contribute to Science!”

Categories: Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Computers & Technology, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water

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

How to Winterize Your Trees

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to plant three trees during a Casey Trees community tree planting event in Washington, D.C.  On that freezing cold December morning, I got to thinking: how do trees survive the winter months? Is there anything can we do to make it easier for them? Well, it turns out that caring for trees is … Read more “How to Winterize Your Trees”

Categories: Climate & Weather, 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

Keep an eye out for hot air over Washington, D.C.

While there might be a lot of metaphorical hot air hovering around Washington, D.C., hazardous weather is no joke. Volunteer scary-weather spotters are needed for many chapters of the SkyWarn network, including the unit that keeps an eye on the sky throughout the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Volunteers are needed to report what the atmospheric forces have … Read more “Keep an eye out for hot air over Washington, D.C.”

Categories: Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Nature & Outdoors

Mountain monitors needed

Crisp fall air in the northeastern Appalachian Mountains will soon signal trees to splash entire hillsides with red, yellow, and orange as far as the eye can see. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) hopes that many future generations of hikers will be able to enjoy similarly colorful views to the horizon. However, they need your … Read more “Mountain monitors needed”

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