Hands of an elderly person hold a smartphone, taking a photo of a moss, in a forest.

How to Be a Citizen Scientist: A Beginner’s Guide

Science makes the world go round. It’s what brought us modern medicine, clean water and the technologies in our homes and in our pockets. And more and more, the pursuit of science is all about information.  Sometimes, scientists need more information than they can collect on their own. Medical researchers want more information about people’s … Read more “How to Be a Citizen Scientist: A Beginner’s Guide”

Categories: About Us, Citizen Science, Citizen Science Month

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

A great blue heron wades through shallow water.

The People’s University: Cooperative Extension’s Role with Citizen Science

Did you know that in nearly every county across the U.S., there’s an office working on programs for youth development, agriculture, landscaping, health and wellness, community development, natural resource conservation and more? They’re all part of what’s called the Cooperative Extension, or “Extension” for short. They’re one of the most far-reaching, non-formal educational programs there … Read more “The People’s University: Cooperative Extension’s Role with Citizen Science”

Categories: Citizen Science, Education, Nature & Outdoors, University

Your essential guide to plan events and programs during Citizen Science Month

Citizen Science Month is almost here! This April, SciStarter and a host of partners are celebrating citizen science by shining a bright light on YOUR events and programs! Citizen Science Month highlights a full month of special events and opportunities to turn curiosity into impact. It’s also the perfect time to introduce your community, classroom, … Read more “Your essential guide to plan events and programs during Citizen Science Month”

Categories: Citizen Science Month

Home page image from Flu Near You project, showing a woman checking a child's temperature

Citizen Scientists Help Researchers Track Disease

This post is based on the latest episode of our podcast, Citizen Science: Stories of Science We Can Do Together! In it, host Bob Hirshon talks with researchers reaching out to citizen scientists to help track infectious disease, create a national bank of biosamples and better understand neuromuscular mobility issues. Listen here: Citizen Science: Stories … Read more “Citizen Scientists Help Researchers Track Disease”

Categories: Citizen Science, Health, NNLM, podcast

Sea Level Rise Citizen Science with the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

The curved arm of Cape Cod jutting out into the Atlantic with 560 miles of beautiful coastline hints at the Cape’s glacial beginnings and its vulnerability to sea levels, now rising as a direct result of climate change. A disappearing island, a lost clam shack and a Beluga whale found in landlocked Vermont were all … Read more “Sea Level Rise Citizen Science with the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History”

Categories: Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Ocean & Water

Watershed Citizen Science with the South Dakota Discovery Center

How do you get people to care about the invisible? Watersheds are difficult to see, except for those who are conversant with hydrology or topographic maps. As much a geographic concept as a landform, watersheds are unlike hills or valleys or plains in that watersheds do not have a shape that is familiar to us. … Read more “Watershed Citizen Science with the South Dakota Discovery Center”

Categories: Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment

Citizen Science Is For Lovers

At SciStarter, we love when people come together to do citizen science and explore the world. And it’s even more fun when you’re with people you care about. Find five of our picks for projects to do with loved ones this Valentine’s Day —and the rest of the year too! XOXO, The SciStarter Team

Categories: Newsletter

Eterna volunteers helped explore new vaccines for COVID-19.

Citizen Scientists Continue to Fight COVID-19. Here’s What They’ve Accomplished

Scientists have done a ton to fight this pandemic. And they haven’t been working alone: They’ve had helpers. Some scientists have even had the privilege of having thousands of helpers. Citizen scientists faithfully logging their health status, answering surveys and playing games that help researchers learn more about everything from public health to how mRNA … Read more “Citizen Scientists Continue to Fight COVID-19. Here’s What They’ve Accomplished”

Categories: Use of Citizen Science data

Free Resources to Help You Plan a Citizen Science Month Event or Program This April!

SciStarter and Arizona State University, with support from the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM), are engaging the public to help speed up research on human and environmental health in April. (Philadelphia, PA) — February 8, 2022 — Citizen Science Month, observed annually in April, is … Read more “Free Resources to Help You Plan a Citizen Science Month Event or Program This April!”

Categories: Citizen Science Month