We’re sure sick of this pandemic, and we bet you are, too. Luckily, there’s a citizen science project for that: With Eterna, participants play a game that helps researchers study how mRNA works (which some COVID vaccines are made of).
But COVID isn’t the only health issue you can tackle with citizen science. Projects let you contribute to research on happiness, gut health, water pollution and even memory. Your participation will help researchers help people get healthier~
Now that’s a game worth playing.
Be well,
The SciStarter Team
Solve fun puzzles and help scientists learn more about how mRNA works in the process. Your mRNA designs might even get built and tested in a lab at Stanford! The researchers are hard at work to expand our knowledge about these important molecules — they’re the main ingredient in leading vaccines against COVID-19.
Location: Global
Is your drinking water safe? Crowd the Tap wants to know! Help researchers create an inventory of drinking water pipes all across the United States. Your data will be used to prioritize areas for tap water testing and infrastructure replacement.
Location: U.S.
Play mobile games and uncover the secrets to happiness! This app tests your decision making and teaches you all about the science of happiness.
Scientists will learn from the decisions you make in the game and use that to study the roots of happiness. They’re using this knowledge to help fight depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns.
Location: Global
As you solve puzzles in this fast-paced mobile game, you’re really identifying clusters of bacteria like the ones that live in your gut. Collect microbes, grow your colony and unlock badges to learn about microbes living inside our body. Your in-game solutions will help scientists find links between the microbes living inside us and our lifestyles and overall health.
Location: Global
Can memory challenges on your phone improve your memory? Sign up to be a guinea pig for researchers at UC Riverside and UC Irvine. Complete tests and trainings over the course of 11 days in short 20-30 minute sessions.
With your help, researchers can better understand existing approaches to training memory and move forward with a new generation of techniques personalized to address the needs of diverse people. It only takes a few minutes to sign up and find out if you’re eligible!
Location: U.S.
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!