Our Citizen Science Experience
* This page acts as template for the Port Phillip EcoCentre to be used for promotional purposes on their website
When the group came to Melbourne to work with the Ecocentre we did not have much knowledge of citizen science. With a highly technical background (Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering), citizen science was a whole new concept to us. After arriving to Australia, our team was surprised to discover many citizen science projects allow for impactful data collection while often times only involving common household items. Knowing we were going to help participate in various citizen science projects held by the EcoCentre and their partners, we expected very broad projects that weren't too in-depth but were meant for large spread data gathering. After volunteering at multiple different events the team learned that we knew little about citizen science and its impact on the scientific community. From drain strains to dune surveys, we learned that these citizen science projects are well thought out small-scale projects that were focused on gathering specific pinpoint data from a certain area. All the equipment was well tested or created to gather the desired information and was planned out to be as simple as possible for each volunteer to contribute.
"While I knew the EcoCentre contributed to the community around the Port Phillip Bay Area, I didn't realize how far the network reaches and how much this new hub and lab are needed because of the growth of the EcoCentre. Participating and being in several of the programs opened my eyes to how influential citizen science is. The physical space will provide so much for the programs the EcoCentre already runs and allow for even more community participation in future projects!"
- Brent Ditzler
"Before being placed on the project with the Port Phillip EcoCentre, I had never taken part in citizen science projects as expansive as what the centre has to offer. It is a powerful concept to be able to play a role in valuable scientific research knowing that the data you are collecting would otherwise be unavailable to researchers. Working on this project made clear the need for a new physical hub to support the growth of the projects and staff, so the EcoCentre can continue to support the Port Phillip Bay. I am so glad I was able to play a role in the future of the new laboratory, and I am looking forward to hearing about and hopefully seeing the new facilities when they are up and running!"
- Maddie Sanborn
"I really enjoyed working with the EcoCentre and participating in a range of citizen science projects that they have to offer. The projects were fun and engaging and I learned a lot about how a simple task such as collecting seashells can provide scientific data that can be used to help track the health of the Bay"
- Ashley Burke
"I didn't know much about citizen science before working with the Ecocentre but the volunteer opportunities we did with them opened my eyes to what can be accomplished. My favorite volunteer project was the Erosion and Dune survey because it was a simple and well thought out activity in which I learned a lot about the environment and that measuring the dunes can give insight into their health and how to preserve them in the future!"
- Will Lapointe
"I have been very impressed by the work done by the EcoCentre and their partners in the areas of citizen science working to improve their local ecosystems. The level of community engagement, research initiatives, focus on micro and macro issues, and partnership with other organizations is something I have never experienced in the charity sector before. This level of initiative lead by private or government-affiliated groups is not common or at least not well known to the area I grew up in within the US and is something I see as only beneficial to the environment"
- Jack Charbonneau
This is experience is one that each member of our team will never forget. Each experience was vastly different from the last but was engaging and important in its own way. We learned how amazing the environment is is Melbourne but more importantly the challenges we face daily to keep it this amazing. The activities gave us the lasting impression on what we need to do as a human race to slowly keep our planet clean and healthy.
* To learn more about how the WPI team was able to help the Port Phillip EcoCentre co-designing Australia's first citizen science lab, you can visit their website here.