Earth Day Activities: These Science Projects Get You Outside Virtually

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a time of year when many people by get outside to take part in community clean ups and environmental celebrations. But this year is different. Schools and parks have closed, and we’re left to celebrate while social distancing. This list of citizen science activities and projects can … Read more “Earth Day Activities: These Science Projects Get You Outside Virtually”

Categories: Animals, Citizen Science, EarthSchool, Ecology & Environment

Explore biodiversity with iNaturalist and the Appalachian Mountain Club

Do you want to know more about the world around you? iNaturalist allows anyone, anywhere to contribute to a global record of biodiversity by uploading pictures of plants and animals with their smartphone or computer. In a new podcast episode (listen below!), co-host Justin Schell talks with Dr. Carrie Seltzer, the Stakeholder Engagement Strategist for … Read more “Explore biodiversity with iNaturalist and the Appalachian Mountain Club”

Categories: Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Project Profile

Citizen Science in Australia: Spotlight on Michelle Neil

As the interviewer and the author of this post, I’ll reveal my bias now: meeting Michelle Neil, the secretary and social media moderator of the Australian Citizen Science Association, was a highlight of the Citizen Science Association’s conference for me. I’m an unabashed Michelle fan. She sat down with me this past March in Raleigh … Read more “Citizen Science in Australia: Spotlight on Michelle Neil”

Categories: Citizen Science, CitSci Research, Ecology & Environment, Events

Five Fin-tastic projects for Shark Week

The Discovery Channel’s popular Shark Week is July 28-August 4. Help scientists learn more about sharks through the projects we’ve tagged for you, below. This year, you can also help provide healthy ocean homes for sharks by joining the world’s largest volunteer effort for oceans: the International Coastal Cleanup. Cheers! The SciStarter Team

Categories: Animals, Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Education, Featured Projects, Newsletter, Ocean & Water, webinar

Book Review: Reflecting on a Life of Citizen Science

Anne Innis Dagg, Smitten by Giraffe: My Life as a Citizen Scientist, Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2016. 256 pp. $34.95 hardcover.  Smitten by Giraffe: My Life as a Citizen Scientist is a memoir by Anne Innis Dagg. In the text, she describes her pursuits as a citizen scientist, ranging from her first encounter with giraffe … Read more “Book Review: Reflecting on a Life of Citizen Science”

Categories: Book Review, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment

Long Beach Scuba Show

Long Beach Scuba Show: Catching up with Reef Check and Ocean Sanctuaries

Kristin Butler dedicates her Scuba Series in remembrance of her beloved mother, Marilyn Butler, who passed along to Kristin a deep love for science and nature along with a pair of pink scuba diving fins. Each year, the Long Beach Scuba Show brings together divers from around the world for seminars and exhibits on all … Read more “Long Beach Scuba Show: Catching up with Reef Check and Ocean Sanctuaries”

Categories: Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors

Pollinator Week Logo June 17-23 2019

It’s Pollinator Week and we’re all a-buzzzz!

This is a perfect week to make and share your pollinator observations with scientists. Our editors selected five projects in need of your help. More about pollinators from Penn State’s website:”Pollinators are animals (primarily insect, but sometimes avian or mammalian) that fertilize plants, resulting in the formation of seeds and the fruit surrounding seeds. Humans … Read more “It’s Pollinator Week and we’re all a-buzzzz!”

Categories: book, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Education, Environment, Featured Projects, Insects, Newsletter, Webinar, webinar

Citizen Science at the Beach

Turning Passion into Protection: Citizen Science at the Beach with the Surfrider Foundation

Heading to the beach this weekend? Consider citizen science at the beach by engaging in water quality testing with the Surfrider Foundation. The Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots environmental organization whose mission is to protect and enjoy the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches. Surfrider volunteers work in their communities across the country testing the water … Read more “Turning Passion into Protection: Citizen Science at the Beach with the Surfrider Foundation”

Categories: Chemistry, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Project Profile

Crowd the Tap

Crowd the Tap: Empowering Communities to Examine Their Lead Exposure

Lead water pipes have been a fixture of modern civilization for more than two thousand years.  Ancient Romans channeled water into homes and bathhouses through lead piping. In fact, the Latin word for lead, plumbum, is where we get the English word “plumbing.” Yet we have also long recognized that lead can have a serious … Read more “Crowd the Tap: Empowering Communities to Examine Their Lead Exposure”

Categories: Chemistry, Do-It-Yourself, Ecology & Environment, Project Profile

Identifying Resilient Trees

Survivors in the Forest: Help Scientists by Identifying Resilient Trees

Calling all tree lovers! This Arbor Day, help scientists study trees near you with TreeSnap, an easy-to-use app. Are you a tree lover with a smartphone? If so, you can help out scientists who are trying to breed stronger trees. Like all living beings, trees face a variety of challenges and illnesses. In addition to … Read more “Survivors in the Forest: Help Scientists by Identifying Resilient Trees”

Categories: Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Environment