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Home » Citizen Science » What is Citizen Science?

What is Citizen Science?

Published: Jun 26, 2022 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Citizen Science is when members of the public get involved with scientific research by designing experiments and collecting, sorting and analysing information. It’s about giving everyone an opportunity to be involved in science!

Citizen science projects can be anything from monitoring butterfly and bee populations to spotting cancer cells in images.

You might also hear citizen science referred to as crowdsourced science.

Citizen Science text with words relating to it in the image. Environment, community, climate, wildlife, research, collaborate

Why should you get involved?

Citizen Science is a great opportunity to get involved in large collaborative projects and really make a difference to the future of our world. Imagine if your contribution became part of a huge scientific development!

The use of apps and games make being a citizen scientist easy to add into your usual activities with family and friends. Get outside and count butterflies or worms or analyse pre existing data in your spare time. Whatever you’re interested in there’s bound to be a project you’ll want to join.

You don’t generally need any pre-existing knowledge or skills to join a citizen science project, there are videos or clear instructions to explain what you need to to do.

Example of Citizen Science

Cancer Research UK used citizen scientists to analyse data through apps and games!

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count has been running for over 100 years using volunteers to count winter bird populations. This is a really important project for assessing the impact of climate change on bird populations.

Find a Citizen Science Research Project

Worldwide Citizen Science Projects

NASA currently have 28 different citizen science projects you can get involved with! You can help classify coral reefs, search for new planets, find for penguin colonies in satellite images and lots more!

Help classify galaxies with Galaxy Zoo.

Play a part in helping scientists discover how the retina processes information by playing a game to map the brain with Eyewire.

Citizen Science Projects in the UK

The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology has some great apps for recording information about algae, butterflies, ladybirds and moths.

Join Garden Birdwatch to help with research into how and why populations of garden wildlife are changing.

Search for seaweed along the British coastline with the Big Seaweed Search! This is a collaboration between the Natural History Museum and the Marine Conservation society.

Join the Big Butterfly Count. This starts on the 15th July 2022 and runs until Sunday 7th August.

Monarch butterfly on a flower

Citizen Science Projects in the United States

If you’re in the United States try citizenscience.gov to find lots of research projects to join.

Also for people in the United States are some great projects suggested by National Geographic including counting horseshoe crabs, monitoring bird nests and identifying frogs and toads.

If you get involved in any of the projects above I’d love to hear how you get on and what you discover!

Images and words related to Citizen Science.

Last Updated on June 26, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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