Blog: Citizen Science Projects, People, and Perspectives
By Peter Madden, Jul 19, 2012
The U.S. Geological Survey invites citizen scientists to send information about landslides in their neighborhoods to the Landslide Hazards Program for inclusion in their national database. … Read more
Categories: Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Computers & Technology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Nature & Outdoors, Science Education Standards
By Nick Fordes, Jun 11, 2012
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
By Lisa Gardiner, Apr 17, 2012
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
By Kate Atkins, Apr 04, 2012
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
By Kate Atkins, Mar 08, 2012
Spring is in the air, and birds are finally on the move. A recent push of southerly winds through the middle of the United States have put early migrants – particularly geese and swans – on the fast track to their breeding grounds up north. This weather pattern is set to continue through this week, … Read more “Spring swan sightings”
Categories: Biology, Birds, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors
By Kate Atkins, Feb 13, 2012
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
By John Ohab, Jan 19, 2012
Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) is an England-based project that encourages the public to explore their surroundings, record their findings, and submit their results to the OPAL national database. … Read more
Categories: Animals, Biology, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Science Education Standards
By Darlene Cavalier, Nov 22, 2011
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
By Lisa Gardiner, Sep 16, 2011
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
By Lisa Gardiner, Sep 14, 2011
On September 18, 2011 people around the world will be taking a closer look at their local waterways during World Water Monitoring Day. Join in the project and help figure out whether the freshwater near you is clean. … Read more
Categories: Chemistry, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water