Citizen Science Kits: A New Way to Learn, Discover and Contribute at Your Local Library

SciStarter and Arizona State University partner with a growing number of libraries across the country to offer free kits you can check out. Kits contain local field guides, intergenerational activities, and easy-to-use tools so you can participate in science that needs your help. Click here to see if your local library offers the kits. If … Read more “Citizen Science Kits: A New Way to Learn, Discover and Contribute at Your Local Library”

Categories: Animals, Apps, Astronomy & Space, Biology, Citizen Science, libraries, Library, Tools

How to make the most of SciStarter.org

SciStarter provides free resources for all of our members, from customized Dashboards for citizen scientists to custom insights for project leaders. We highlight five popular resources here – for volunteers, project leaders, researchers and facilitators (including educators and librarians). And don’t forget our partner Science Near Me, which makes it easy to find science opportunities … Read more “How to make the most of SciStarter.org”

Categories: About Us, Affiliate Tools, Citizen Science, Citizen Science Month, Do-It-Yourself, Education, Library, Tools

Four Smartfin surfers with surfboards and lab coats pose on the beach.

With Smartfin, Surfers Collect Ocean Data While They Hang Ten

Oceans give our world life. Phytoplankton breathe out 70 percent of our oxygen, and the oceans’  currents and other physical properties are responsible for our weather and climate. Scientists have long been keeping tabs on the ocean with vast networks of sensors, satellites and other equipment, in order to understand more about how it works … Read more “With Smartfin, Surfers Collect Ocean Data While They Hang Ten”

Categories: Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water, Tools

Environmental Justice and Community-driven Research: Twitter Chat on November 13

Guest Post by Lynn Chesnut (@ramblynn1) Citizen science projects address a wide variety of research needs from bee conservation to light pollution. This type of citizen science typically involves volunteers collecting data for projects created by “expert” scientists, and volunteer involvement often ends there. But there’s another citizen science. A citizen science that involves volunteers … Read more “Environmental Justice and Community-driven Research: Twitter Chat on November 13”

Categories: Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Science Policy, Science Practices, Tools

DIY “Recipes” For Real Science That Needs You

This post was originally published as a SciStarter newsletter. Sign up to receive bi-weekly citizen science in your inbox! You’re a DOER! We love that about you.Nothing can stop you…not even a lack of access to specialized, low-cost tools needed to fully engage in citizen science. Below, we present ways you can build tools and kits … Read more “DIY “Recipes” For Real Science That Needs You”

Categories: Citizen Science, Do-It-Yourself, Tools

tools for scientific learning

Inventions that show why accessible tools matter for scientific discovery

What if everyone had access to powerful tools for scientific learning and problem solving? Scientific discovery tools — from telescopes to magnetometers — help us answer questions and generate knowledge. But many powerful tools are too expensive or too difficult for non-experts to use. Tool Foundry by Luminary Labs Earlier this month, Luminary Labs launched … Read more “Inventions that show why accessible tools matter for scientific discovery”

Categories: Tools

pictures of citizen science tools.

New citizen science tools database to discover and access the right instruments

Citizen science (public participation in scientific research) often calls for tools you won’t find lying around the house, such as a rain gauge to record precipitation or an air quality sensor. Examples of tools used by citizen scientists. Lack of access to these tools can be a barrier to engaging in citizen science projects. To … Read more “New citizen science tools database to discover and access the right instruments”

Categories: Citizen Science News, Tools

Figure 4: Selected air quality sensors at the ADEQ reference monitor site in South Phoenix.

SciStarter, researchers, regulators, and community residents collaborate to test air quality sensors

In early 2018, Scistarter and Arizona State University began the process of collaborating with a local community, Boulder Ridge, to measure the quality of its air. Boulder Ridge is a 55 and older retirement community in Phoenix. Over the past three years, Boulder Ridge residents began to notice increased blasting, crushing, and trucking out of … Read more “SciStarter, researchers, regulators, and community residents collaborate to test air quality sensors”

Categories: Citizen Science, Tools