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I have considered science of all types to be a hobby since I was in Junior High School. Activities like my basement chemistry set, Model rocketry, rock collecting, capturing ground squirrels for my next door neighbor (high school biology teacher) to use in hibernation experiments all became a love of science and a life long hobby. This page covers some of things that I do, along with resources, and links for where you can get involved with science as an amateur volunteer, or as they now call us...citizen scientists.
One of my favorite citizen scientist programs is the School of Ants, ran by North Carolina State University. I have participated in this program since 2009. The School of Ants project is a citizen-scientist driven study of the ants that live in urban areas, particularly around homes and schools. Participation is open to anyone interested! Learn how to create your own sampling kit, sample your backyard or schoolyard, and get our collection to University so that they can ID the ants and add your species list to the big School of Ants map. Together we'll map ant diversity and species ranges across North America! Click on the Title link to connect to the web site.
The National Geographic Society has funded approximately 10,000 projects since its creation in 1888. Many of them are open to Citizen Scientists. This link is their project introduction page where you can search for any projects where they are looking for volunteers. I have participated most recently in the Valley of the Khans Project. Happy Hunting.
This project is ran by Dr. Terry Peard of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I have submitted sightings as far back as 1983. At this site you will find a great deal of information, including the distribution, natural history, life cycle and some current research about freshwater jellyfish. There also are pictures and movies to help you to confirm what you are seeing at your pond or lake and to assist you in convincing others that there really are freshwater jellyfish. This site is updated regularly, especially during the “jellyfish season” when updates are posted nearly every day. There is a page on Dr. Peard's site that covers how to submit sightings of Craspedacusta sowerbii (kras-ped-uh-kus-tuh)
The Amateur Entomologists' Society, founded in 1935, is a registered charity run by volunteers for those with an interest in insects (entomology). Many members also have a wider interest in natural history in general. Our objective is to promote the study of entomology, especially amongst amateurs and the younger generation. We publish a bi-monthly journal, The Bulletin, a bi-monthly peer-reviewed journal, Entomologist's Record and Journal of Variation and a bi-monthly magazine for our younger members, the Bug Club Magazine. We also issue a monthly email newsletter, where members can buy, sell or exchange entomological material. Members are encouraged to send articles and observations to the Society for publication in the journals.
The Mineralogical Society of America (MSA)
Founded in 1919 for the advancement of mineralogy, crystallography, geochemistry, petrology, and promotion of their uses in other sciences, industry, and the arts. It encourages fundamental research about natural materials; supports the teaching of mineralogical concepts and procedures; and attempts to raise the scientific literacy of society with respect to issues involving mineralogy in the widest sense. The Society encourages the preservation of mineral collections, displays, mineral localities, type minerals and scientific data. MSA represents the United States internationally with regard to the science of mineralogy.
To accomplish its goals, the Society publishes journals, magazines, and books, as well as uses short courses, lectureships, Internet website, awards, grants, symposia, and meetings for professionals, students, and the public. MSA depends on the involvement of all individuals who are concerned with the health and direction of the field of mineralogy. The society cooperates with other scientific and organizations, and continually explores and adopts new programs and policies to better serve its members.
Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
Radio astronomy may sound like it would only be for professional scientists, that is not so. There is a very active community of amateur radio astronomer who build their own equipment and carryout some very sophisticated experiments. SARA, Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers is a place to start if you like technology and science. This group offers instructions and plans for a number of radio telescopes, they hold annual conferences and also have a network of mentors available to contact. Click the link to get started.
SPACE SCIENCE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ROCKETRY
The National Association of Rocketry(NAR) is a non-profit tax-exempt scientific organization (IRSEIN 13-6165575) dedicated to consumer safety, youth education, and the advancement of technology in the hobby of space modeling (sport rocketry) in the United States. Founded in 1957, the NAR is the oldest and largest space modeling organization in the world with over 5100 members and 125 affiliated clubs across the U.S.
Tripoli is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and operation of amateur high power rocketry. Our members are drawn from the United States and 22 additional countries across the globe.
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