Landscape photo of tulip poplar tree and sycamores on a late fall afternoon.

Join Citizen Science Efforts to Preserve Our Forests

With forests being wiped out worldwide by climate change, deforestation, pests and plagues, trees need all the help they can get. In this episode of the SciStarter podcast, we learn about three citizen science projects that monitor and protect trees. Also, with gift-giving season right around the corner, Bob also shares a few of his … Read more “Join Citizen Science Efforts to Preserve Our Forests”

Categories: Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Environment, Girl Scouts, Nature & Outdoors, Other

Two middle schoolers use their mobile phones to study cattails in a wetland area.

Citizen Science Goes to School

In this month’s SciStarter podcast, we’re heading back to school to see how teachers and even college professors are making citizen science a part of their classroom instruction. Participating in real science conducted by actual researchers can make science lessons come alive for students at all grade levels. Education leaders in Florida, North Carolina and … Read more “Citizen Science Goes to School”

Categories: Analyzing and interpreting data, Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering), Citizen Science, Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering), Developing and using models, Education, Engaging in argument from evidence, Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information, Other, Planning and carrying out investigations, Science Education Standards, Using mathematics and computational thinking

Dog Days of Science

In the latest episode of the SciStarter podcast, we celebrate National Dog Day (August 26th) with some canine citizen science. Scientists would like to learn about dog personalities and genetics; what traits help them perform well as service animals; and how environmental factors could affect their health. If you have a canine companion, you have … Read more “Dog Days of Science”

Categories: Other

Top 7 Citizen Science Problems (And How to Solve Them)

Lost your smartphone? Rabbits eating all your sunflowers? Can’t seem to find opportunities right for you? Sometimes doing citizen science can bring some unexpected problems. But take heart — whatever challenge you’re facing, you’re likely not the first one to deal with it.  We surveyed SciStarter’s users about the problems they’ve encountered while trying to … Read more “Top 7 Citizen Science Problems (And How to Solve Them)”

Categories: Animals, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Other

Citizen Science Month events for and from libraries!

Librarians: Visit CitizenScienceMonth.org and “share” and promote any event, particularly those hosted by fellow librarians! Citizen Science 101: A Beginner’s Guide! Simple repost the Facebook recording of the 4/1 event to introduce your community to Citizen Science! Citizen Science for the Stars! A special event from NASA’s Night Sky Network, SciStarter and Astronomy Magazine Wednesday, … Read more “Citizen Science Month events for and from libraries!”

Categories: Other

A hand holding a smartphone in the woods. On screen is the Mountain Rain or Snow website.

How can it snow when temperatures are above freezing? Mountain Rain or Snow has the answer — and wants your help studying it

A glimpse at the temperature during the next snowfall might surprise you: It may not actually be below freezing outside. Don’t worry, your thermometer isn’t broken, and you didn’t miss a memo about a change in the laws of physics. There’s a straightforward reason why it can snow above 32°F — though it does make … Read more “How can it snow when temperatures are above freezing? Mountain Rain or Snow has the answer — and wants your help studying it”

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

This image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows a cross-section of the undersea, land and sky at Tafeu Cove in American Somoa.

Exploring Earth with NOAA Citizen Science

This post is based on the latest episode of our podcast, Citizen Science: Stories of Science We Can Do Together! In it, co-host Bob Hirshon and Caroline Nickerson discuss some of the inspiring citizen science work conducted under the auspices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Listen here: Citizen Science: Stories of Science … Read more “Exploring Earth with NOAA Citizen Science”

Categories: Apps, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Ecology & Environment, Education, Environment, Featured Projects, Geology & Earth Sciences, Ocean & Water, Other, podcast

Science Near Me: Explore. Experience. Engage.

Science Near Me: Connecting Curious People With Opportunities To Explore, Experience and Engage In Science

People across the country are looking for opportunities to directly engage with scientific research on a meaningful level. That means interacting with scientists and their research directly, instead of just reading about it in journals and magazines. The desire for true interaction isn’t so hard to understand. Extreme weather around the world is pushing many … Read more “Science Near Me: Connecting Curious People With Opportunities To Explore, Experience and Engage In Science”

Categories: Other

As Ghost Forests Spread, Researchers Ask for Help Keeping Track

  Have you seen a ghost forest? As sea levels rise around the world, coastlines are increasingly marked by lingering stands of dead trees. The cause of death isn’t a mystery. Sea level rise is intensifying the effects of flooding and pushing saltwater into low lying coastal ecosystems. That saltwater kills the trees, leaving behind … Read more “As Ghost Forests Spread, Researchers Ask for Help Keeping Track”

Categories: Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water, Other