Category: Environment

Falling for Fungi!

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

A man and a woman sit on the ground, both looking at a phone, ostensibly at a photo that was just taken. Rectangular tubs, one with vegetation, nets and a field guide are on the ground. The man is pointing to something on the phone. Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

MacroBlitz: Explore Freshwater Ecosystems and Contribute to Science by Tracking Macroinvertebrates

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

Healthy People/Healthy Planet

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

Photo of parade in New Zealand from 1916, with cars from the period and onlookers.

Make History With Citizen Science!

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

Dive Into Summer Citizen Science

By Bob Hirshon, Jul 05, 2024

It’s July, ideal for cooling off with marine science exploration. In that spirit, here’s some wet and wild science research that needs your help. Sharks Are Jawsome! Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the television, it’s Shark Mania Season! If the wall to wall shark viewing frenzy puts you in … Read more “Dive Into Summer Citizen Science”

Categories: Animals, Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water, Other

Dragonfly sitting on a stalk of wheat

Days of Dragonflies, Fireflies and Fly Fishing

By Bob Hirshon, Jun 06, 2024

It’s the season for emergences, whether you’re a dragonfly, firefly, periodical cicada or fly fishing enthusiast! The warm weather brings a variety of citizen science opportunities, some of them fleeting, so we hope you can get outdoors and experience the wonders of nature with your friends and family, and help document them for the many … Read more “Days of Dragonflies, Fireflies and Fly Fishing”

Categories: Animals, Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Environment, Insects, Nature & Outdoors, Newsletter, Ocean & Water, Other

Become a guardian of nature! Learn to rewild with native plants

By Caroline Nickerson, May 20, 2024

You might have heard that our world is out of balance. Ecosystems that need native plants and animals to flourish are plagued by human development and invasive species. Many of our local green spaces like yards, parks, and porches are home to mostly introduced, non-native plants that do little to maintain a healthy regional biodiversity. … Read more “Become a guardian of nature! Learn to rewild with native plants”

Categories: Education, Environment, Nature & Outdoors

Citizen Science Month and #OneMillionActsOfScience Needs You!

By Bob Hirshon, Apr 23, 2024

It’s a packed week, with Earth Day, Arbor Day, The City Nature Challenge and more! The last full week of Citizen Science Month is jam packed! It’s the week of Earth Day, Arbor Day, Noise Awareness Day, and the City Nature Challenge! Find a project and report your Act of Science here. Just creating a … Read more “Citizen Science Month and #OneMillionActsOfScience Needs You!”

Categories: Alzheimers, Citizen Science Month, Ecology & Environment, Environment, Featured Projects, Geology & Earth Sciences, Global Citizen Science Month, Nature & Outdoors, Newsletter, Other

Car windshield with the message "Totality or Bust"

The Sun Takes Center Stage for Citizen Science Month Week 2

By Bob Hirshon, Apr 04, 2024

The solar eclipse is the big event of the second week of Citizen Science Month, with activities for folks who will be in the eclipse path and also for those who aren’t. There are also other great citizen science activities, celebrating National Pet Day, National Library Week, and more!  One Million Acts Of Science Challenge SciStarter … Read more “The Sun Takes Center Stage for Citizen Science Month Week 2”

Categories: Citizen Science Month, Environment, Global Citizen Science Month, Library, Nature & Outdoors, Newsletter

Citizen Science for Women’s History Month and Other March Events

By Bob Hirshon, Mar 20, 2024

It’s Women’s History Month AND Citizen Science Month is nearly upon us. And that’s why we have Rosie the Robot urging everyone to roll up their sleeves and do their part by signing up for the One Million Acts of Science Challenge! If we all work together We Can Do It! Celebrate Maria Mitchell, awesome … Read more “Citizen Science for Women’s History Month and Other March Events”

Categories: Citizen Science Month, Environment, Global Citizen Science Month, Science Cheerleaders