Community Science

Interested in getting students involved in data collection that will be used by scientists? Check out some of these community science resources. Each project links to more information, data entry, and associated curriculum resources. For help launching a community science project - reach out to the DPS Outdoor Learning Specialist.

Plants and Animals

Caterpillars Count!

Caterpillars Count! is a citizen science project for measuring the seasonal variation, also known as phenology, and abundance of arthropods like caterpillars, beetles, and spiders found on the foliage of trees and shrubs. Learn more here.

Themes: Caterpillars and other insects

City Nature Challenge (NC Bioblitz)

An annual four-day global bioblitz at the end of April, observe and record observations of local wildlife/ plants. Learn more here.

Themes: All wildlife (plants, reptiles, amphibians, insects, birds)

ecoEXPLORE

ecoEXPLORE (Experiences Promoting Learning Outdoors for Research and Education) is an incentive-based community science program for children in grades K-8. Developed by The North Carolina Arboretum, this innovative program combines science exploration with kid-friendly technology to foster a fun learning environment for children while encouraging them to explore the outdoors and participate in community science. Learn more here.

Themes: All wildlife (plants, reptiles, amphibians, insects, birds)

Frog Watch USA

FrogWatch USA is a citizen science program established in 1998 to provide individuals, groups and families with opportunities to learn about wetlands in their communities by reporting on the calls of local frogs and toads. Learn more here.

Themes: Frogs/ Toads

Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event in February where people worldwide count and report birds. Simply, watch birds for 15 minutes, tally what you see, and record sightings in Merlin Bird ID App or the eBird Website. Learn more here.

Themes: birds

Great Southeast Pollinator Census

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a citizen science project created by the University of Georgia. This project is designed for everyone to participate and make a difference for pollinator conservation! Learn more here.

Themes: Insects, Pollinators

Journey North

Journey North is an online platform with numerous projects focused on migration and seasonality. Example projects include: monarch butterfly migration, tulip test gardens, and song bird migration. Find a complete list of projects and learn more here.

Themes: Migration, Phenology

NC Spider Search

An annual bioblitz focused on spiders in October, observe and record observations of local spiders. Learn more here.

Themes: Spiders

Project BudBurst

Observe the life cycles of trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses to see when they have their first leafing, first flower, and first fruit ripening.. Learn more here.

Themes: Plants and phenology

Project Explore

Project EXPLORE is open to NC teachers in grades PreK-12. Teachers are able to apply for a mini-grant to help with taking students outdoors during the school day. Teachers will receive $100 to support their efforts as well as being provided coaching and curriculum to assist in growing community scientists. Projects include a focus on birds, trees, or squirrels. Find out more here.

Themes: birds, trees, or squirrels

Project FeederWatch

Help Project FeederWatch with a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locations in North America.. Find out more here.

Themes: Birds

Redbud Phenology Project

The Redbud Phenology Project sources community data to answer three questions about redbud phenology. (1) Does the timing of redbud flowering vary by location or elevation. (2) Is there a cycle to abundant years of redbud fruiting. (3) Has the timing of redbud flowering and fruiting advanced in recent years. Find out more here.

Themes: Redbuds

Water

NC Stream Watch

The goal of NC Stream Watch is to host observations and images of North Carolina's beautiful water resources for community members to see. Our online, interactive map offers users to explore the diversity of waterways from different parts of the state. Learn more here.

Themes: Water Health (Macroinvertebrates, Habitat, Water Quality)

Weather and Climate

CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS (pronounced KO-ko-rozz) is a grassroots volunteer network of backyard weather observers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail, and snow) in their local communities Learn more here.

Themes: Precipitation

GLOBE Observer

GLOBE Observer is an international network of citizen scientists and scientists working together to learn more about our shared environment and changing climate. Projects focus on clouds, mosquito habitat, and land cover. Find a complete list of projects and learn more here.

Themes: Clouds, Water, and Plants

I See Change

Residents share real-time observations—from flooded streets to heat waves. ISeeChange combines these with sensor data and uses AI to turn them into actionable insights. Learn more here.

Themes: Climate

Community Science Search Engines

Didn't find what you were looking for? Use these websites to find a project that works for your class! Each search engine is slightly different so take time to explore.

SciStarter

Scistarter allows you to search based on location, in-person or online, and even how much time you would like to dedicate to information collecting! This is a great place to start in community science.

Zooniverse

Zooniverse is a crowdsourcing platform for more than strictly science. So, if you are looking for opportunities broader than science...look here!

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