Citizen Science-ing where you are

Keeping yourself and others safe during the COVID-19 pandemic is the #1 priority.

Fortunately, there are many opportunities for conducting safe citizen science to fight disease, track migratory birds, study animal behavior, and more…collaboratively. Our editors highlight a few, below.

Cheers!
The SciStarter Team

While this crowdsourcing project is focused on tracking the spread of influenza, or flu virus, the developers added COVID-19 related survey questions, to help track that infection as well. The team analyzes and maps thousands of reports of symptoms from people just like you, giving public health officials and researchers real-time information for tracking disease outbreaks.

Location: USA

Image by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Get Started!

Frustrated at being unable to travel to exotic locales? At least you can travel vicariously by observing the spring arrival of migratory songbirds, as they return to your backyard. Record your observations on eBird, to help scientists monitor bird populations.

Location: Global

Image by Stephen Menzie, Macaulay Library (eBird)

Get Started!

Image Credit: Human Computation Institute

Researchers need your sharp eyes to watch movies of mouse brains to spot “stalls”– areas where blood flow is blocked. Your responses will help scientists better understand Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions, and contribute to the development of new therapies.

Location: Global

Image by the Human Computation Institute (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Get Started!

Have you ever wanted to delve into the plumbing of your home or apartment? Probably not. But that’s only because you haven’t checked out Crowd the Tap! These researchers are creating an inventory of water pipe materials to help ensure that everyone has safe drinking water. And all you’ll need to participate is a penny and a magnet!

Location: USA

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

 

Get Started!

While you may not be able to enjoy a party with your friends, there are no prohibitions against sharing a meal with thousands of friendly ants! But what should you serve? Ant Picnic will help you figure out what dishes tickle the chemoreceptors of everybody’s favorite wingless hymenoptera!

Location: Global

Image by Leona2013 from Pixabay

Get Started!

At SciStarter, we are dedicated to safeguarding the health of all participants. So for Citizen Science Month this year, rather than gathering in person, we’ll collaborate online through projects, events, webinars and more.

Join Science Friday and SciStarter for a special Citizen Science Month webinar on Wednesday at 2pm ET.

Get Started!

Discover more citizen science on the SciStarter calendar. Did you know your SciStarter dashboard helps you track your contributions to projects? Complete your profile to access free tools. Want even more citizen science? Check out SciStarter’s Project Finder! With citizen science projects spanning every field of research, task and age group, there’s something for everyone!

New on Our Syndicated Blogs

Citizen Scientists Measure Nuclear Radiation After Fukushima on Science Connected Magazine’s SciStarter Blog

These STEM Resources Can Help With At-Home Science Learning on DiscoverMagazine.com

Categories: Citizen Science Month, Events, Newsletter

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About the Author

Bob Hirshon

Bob Hirshon

Bob Hirshon heads up Springtail Media, specializing in science media and digital entertainment. He is Principal Investigator for the NSF-supported National Park Science Challenge, an augmented reality adventure that takes place in National Parks. Hirshon headed up the Kinetic City family of science projects, including the Peabody Award winning children’s radio drama Kinetic City Super Crew, McGraw-Hill book series and Codie Award winning website and education program. Hirshon can be heard on XM/Sirius Radio’s Kids Place Live as “Bob the Science Slob”, sharing science news and answering children’s questions. At SciStarter, Bob edits the Citizen Science Podcast.