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Citizen Science is the collection and analysis of data relating to the natural world by members of the general public, typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists. It can be done by individuals, students, teachers in classrooms, and anyone who wants to be involved. Some museums and programs have lesson plans for classroom application and many projects can be completed in conjunction with science, social studies, or really any classroom standards. Below are multiple resources for joining various Citizen Science projects near you and nationwide, or even internationally. Citizen Science has the potential to unlock the science in a student’s everyday life and build the confidence in them to be a scientist. It breaks down stereotypes of STEM field individuals being smarter and STEM careers being exclusive and therefore beyond the student’s reach. It engages every student in every way regardless of socioeconomic factors. It is the application of STEM as an insider and creates opportunities for students to collaborate, create, communicate, and think critically as and for a scientist.
My students and I participated in the eMammal program setting up camera traps all over Haywood county. After leaving traps out for a week at a time on various properties (often the student's family property or sometimes my friends) we would then upload the pictures to the eMammal site. Students then identified the animals through drop-down menus. After the students identified individual organisms scientists would verify and approve identifications. Students would work together and collaborate on identification and were often surprised at the species and interactions we saw. To the right are some of the interesting and fun photos we captured. Some of them have a Pink Flamingo. The biologist we were working with through the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences was doing research on how long art impacted wild animals. My students picked a pink flamingo....so that is what we placed in the field. The fox, blurry hawk in the bottom corner, and an unusual instance of a raccoon eating a squirrel (the scientist was really excited by this) were all captured directly behind our school!!
The table to the right is the species my students identified and captured on the camera traps in our county for eMammal Students Discover North Carolina.
The beauty of working with the NCMNS is they often partner with NC State and therefore the Science House which can be a source of equipment for the classroom if needed. Oftentimes the Science House has tools and equipment that teachers can access if they have completed any professional development with them, therefore receiving training from them. Anyone can become a citizen scientist. Citizen scientists are people just like you — people with an interest in science who want to participate in scientific research. As a citizen scientist, you partner with scientists and contribute to ongoing research. You will gather valuable data to solve difficult scientific problems and learn more about scientists and the work they do through first-hand experience. Many projects require little to no prior experience, the equipment you already have, and minimal time, so it’s easy to get involved!
The Citizen Science Association (CSA) is a member-driven organization that connects people from a wide range of experiences around one shared purpose: advancing knowledge through research and monitoring done by, for, and with members of the public.
The Citizen Science Association (CSA) is a member-driven organization that connects people from a wide range of experiences around one shared purpose: contributing to research and monitoring for scientific research that is done by, for, and with members of the public. This site provides lots of resources with organizations, projects, events, journals, and blogs including connections to Citizen Science Projects.
SciStarter is a site that allows individuals or teachers to obtain an introduction to Citizen Science, investigate various projects, and sign up to participate in projects they may be interested in. This site also has a weekly science meet-up that explores projects and opportunities. Though this site is geared towards the Citizen Science Club and NC State students it has a lot of information to help anyone get started in participating in Citizen Science projects.
SciStarter Website for finding projects that can work for you, including training and support. This website is more generalized and not specific to NC State or even North Carolina
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