Petridish.org lets you join forces with world-renowned researchers

By Nick Fordes Recently, SciStarter added a project called Petridish, where citizens have a chance to contribute to innovative research in a unique way. Petridish is set up like Kickstarter and several other funding platforms. Users can browse a number of current projects, learn about the research objectives, and then donate at various levels. The really … Read more “Petridish.org lets you join forces with world-renowned researchers”

Categories: Nature & Outdoors

What’s Your Lens On Nature?

Imagine someone who is exploring nature. Are they wearing a backpack and hiking boots? Are they roaming the great outdoors? Now imagine someone exploring science. Are they wearing a lab coat and glasses? Are they in a chemistry lab or a room full of computers? Have they been indoors so long that their eyes squint at the light of day? Scientists, naturalist, writers, and artists all look at nature in different ways. What's your lens on nature? … Read more

Categories: Animals, Birds, Citizen Science, Nature & Outdoors, Science Education Standards

Citizen Science Test Drive: Apps for birding.

The first blog post in our new series titled “Citizen Science Test Drive,” (where we present first-person reviews of citizen science apps, tools and platforms) featured reviews of three nature apps by SciStarter contributor Lisa Gardner.  Today, we bring you Kate Atkins, a regular SciStarter contributor and avid birder. Here, Kate shares her list of … Read more “Citizen Science Test Drive: Apps for birding.”

Categories: Apps, Birds, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors

Don’t miss The Great Backyard Bird Count!

On the morning of Friday, February 17, I will wake up before work, pour myself a cup of coffee, and stare out my window for 15 minutes. As long as I submit my observations to the Great Backyard Bird Count, my 15 minutes of zone-out time before I jump in the shower will qualify as … Read more “Don’t miss The Great Backyard Bird Count!”

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

Gobble up Thanksgiving Day citizen science offerings!

Something in the east, something in the west. Help keep an eye on the health and abundance of wild turkeys prior to breeding by observing and counting young turkeys in New York state. Or, join biologists in New Hampshire studying the impact of winter on New Hampshire turkeys by reporting any sightings of female turkeys … Read more “Gobble up Thanksgiving Day citizen science offerings!”

Categories: Birds, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors

Fall into Citizen Science – Watch a Plant!

Plants have a lot going on as autumn temperatures cool. Some leaves turn bright yellow or red and fall from trees. Fruits grow large and ripe. Grasses become brittle and brown. Some flowers, like California poppies, bloom in the autumn too. Project BudBurst is looking for volunteers to take note of what plants are doing as the seasons change. During the “Fall into Phenology” event volunteers around the country will be heading outside between September 17 and 26 to collect data about how plants respond to changes in their environment. … Read more

Categories: Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Events, Nature & Outdoors