SciStarter Robot with graduation cap and apple

For Educators: Integrating Citizen Science Projects into Social Studies Curriculum

Taking part in citizen science projects promotes civic competence and community engagement – one of the primary aims of the social studies curriculum.  As well as teaching students about the ideas and values of democracy, citizen science projects may be specifically linked to the fields of environmental science, geography and anthropology, all key individual subjects … Read more “For Educators: Integrating Citizen Science Projects into Social Studies Curriculum”

Categories: Education, Science Education Standards

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

National Science Teaching Association Web Seminar: Citizen Science Month (and Beyond!) with Ideas, Tips, and Resources from the SciStarter Team

  Join us on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, starting at 7:00 pm ET to learn about Citizen Science Month in April 2020. SciStarter and partners around the world are planning events and programs to celebrate and promote all things citizen science: amazing discoveries, incredible volunteers, hardworking practitioners, inspiring projects, and anything else citizen science-related! This webinar will … Read more “National Science Teaching Association Web Seminar: Citizen Science Month (and Beyond!) with Ideas, Tips, and Resources from the SciStarter Team”

Categories: Citizen Science Month, Education, Science Education Standards, Webinar

Calling All Science Educators: Virtual Conference Tomorrow with the National Science Teaching Association

You’re Invited to the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Virtual Conference! Join us tomorrow on Saturday, December 7, starting at 10:00 am ET, to learn about the value of connecting in-school and out-of-school STEM activities, to hear from educators who have implemented successful programs, and to explore ways you can connect your learning environment to … Read more “Calling All Science Educators: Virtual Conference Tomorrow with the National Science Teaching Association”

Categories: Education, Events, Science Education Standards

Citizen Science in the Classroom: ISeeChange

Image Source: Pixabay.com Citizen science can be an excellent way to engage learners in the process of science and to address the Practices as outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). In each issue of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Journal, Science Scope, a citizen science project from the SciStarter Project Finder is … Read more “Citizen Science in the Classroom: ISeeChange”

Categories: Citizen Science, Citizen Science News, Climate & Weather, EarthSchool, Ecology & Environment, Education, In the News, Nature & Outdoors, Science Education Standards, SciStarter News

Upbeat, collaborative, and focused: Educators at SXSWedu reflect on the value and future of citizen science in education.

Who really benefits from citizen science? How can citizen science support STEM education?  How do we bring citizen science to new audiences? How can we leverage new technologies to expand student participation in citizen science projects? These were some of the questions we set out to discuss at the Citizen Science Meet-up at SXSWedu. SXSWedu … Read more “Upbeat, collaborative, and focused: Educators at SXSWedu reflect on the value and future of citizen science in education.”

Categories: Citizen Science News, Education, Events, Guest Contributor, Science Education Standards

Why it’s OK to fail: empowering students to discover

By Lea Shell Middle school students are presented with a bucket of what, at first glance, looks like dirt. They pull handfuls onto their lab bench and carefully begin to sift. “I found a shark tooth!” one student exclaims,  prompting the other students to peer more intently at their own piles. Before long, they see … Read more “Why it’s OK to fail: empowering students to discover”

Categories: Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering), Citizen Science, Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering), EarthSchool, Education, Guest Contributor, Science Practices

Back To School With Citizen Science: A Conversation with Ben Graves

In the next two posts, as part of our SciStarter in the Classroom collection, guest contributor Ben Graves will share his personal experiences and advice for using citizen science in the classroom. Graves is a fellow with the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation, which supports a small cohort of early-career teachers across the United States with intensive professional development. … Read more “Back To School With Citizen Science: A Conversation with Ben Graves”

Categories: Analyzing and interpreting data, Citizen Science, EarthSchool, Guest Contributor, Nature & Outdoors, Science Education Standards, Science Practices

Enlisting youth citizen scientists to combat Zika

Going out of your way to attract mosquitoes seems like the last thing anyone would want to do, but that is exactly what the national Invasive Mosquito Project is hoping volunteers will do in the name of public health. Managed through the United States Department of Agriculture, the Invasive Mosquito Project aims to track the spread of … Read more “Enlisting youth citizen scientists to combat Zika”

Categories: Analyzing and interpreting data, Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering), Biology, Citizen Science, Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering), Ecology & Environment, Education, Insects, Nature & Outdoors, Planning and carrying out investigations, Project Profile, Science Practices

Halloween Citizen Science in the Classroom: Answer the Bat Call!

Editor’s Note: This post is part of our Citizen Science in the Classroom Series where we explore the use of citizen science projects to teach science in the classroom by aligning them with Common Core and Next Generation STEM standards . For more such projects check out the resources page for educators on SciStarter!   Did … Read more “Halloween Citizen Science in the Classroom: Answer the Bat Call!”

Categories: Animals, Bats, Biology, Citizen Science, Science Education Standards