Blog: Citizen Science Projects, People, and Perspectives
By Elizabeth Walter, Jan 06, 2011
We often highlight citizen science projects that ask volunteers to note where and when they see a particular animal. However, researchers at the University of Florida are asking citizen scientists to go one step further — not only does this group need help spotting invasive Cuban treefrogs, but also, they’d like you to help get … Read more “Florida researchers put Cuban treefrogs on ice”
Categories: Animals, Biology, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors
By Elizabeth Walter, Dec 21, 2010
Now that half the country is blanketed in snow for the holidays, we wanted to point out a cool new project to join: IceWatch USA! As a child in the woods of New Hampshire, my siblings and I kept a keen eye on the weather, and “ice on” events at our back pond were a … Read more “Citizen science on ice”
Categories: Animals, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water
By Elizabeth Walter, Nov 30, 2010
Songs have helped me remember a lot of academic information – from learning all 50 states* in alphabetic order when I was in elementary school to figuring out which French verbs take “être” (to be) in the past tense by humming “Heigh Ho” from the musical Snow White. My science classes got in on the … Read more “Singing along to science”
Categories: Astronomy & Space, Biology, Chemistry, Citizen Science, Do-It-Yourself, Physics, Science Education Standards
By Elizabeth Walter, Nov 15, 2010
High in the mountains of Montana’s Glacier National Park, rangers need the help of citizen scientists like you to keep an eye on local flora and fauna. As a trained volunteer, you can help survey the loon population at many of the park’s stunning alpine lakes. As you hike, keep an ear out for the … Read more “Loony days and weed watching in Glacier National Park”
Categories: Animals, Biology, Birds, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors
By Elizabeth Walter, Nov 10, 2010
For those of you sleepless people who want to learn a bit about stars and help scientists at the same time, consider joining the Great World Wide Star Count taking place from October 29 through November 12, 2010. In order to participate, download the star count’s activity guide to determine which constellation you should observe. … Read more “Look and listen to the cosmos to help space scientists”
Categories: Astronomy & Space, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather
By Elizabeth Walter, Oct 08, 2010
Deep in the heart of Wisconsin is a nature lover’s dream destination – the Beaver Creek Reserve. With a citizen science center, butterfly house, nature center, observatory, field research station, summer camp, and miles of trails to explore, there’s something for everyone to get excited about. We recently spoke with Sarah Braun, Citizen Science Director … Read more “Citizen scientists in the Wisconsin wilds”
Categories: Birds, Citizen Science
By Elizabeth Walter, Sep 30, 2010
For those of you who watched “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and wondered how you could go searching for ancient artifacts yourself, here is your chance to get in on some archaeology action. The Calico Early Man Site, located near Yermo, California, is starting its fall digging season this weekend (October 2 and 3) and … Read more “How to be Indiana Jones for the weekend”
Categories: Archeology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Nature & Outdoors, Science Policy
By Elizabeth Walter, Sep 23, 2010
While there might be a lot of metaphorical hot air hovering around Washington, D.C., hazardous weather is no joke. Volunteer scary-weather spotters are needed for many chapters of the SkyWarn network, including the unit that keeps an eye on the sky throughout the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Volunteers are needed to report what the atmospheric forces have … Read more “Keep an eye out for hot air over Washington, D.C.”
Categories: Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Nature & Outdoors
By Elizabeth Walter, Sep 16, 2010
Crisp fall air in the northeastern Appalachian Mountains will soon signal trees to splash entire hillsides with red, yellow, and orange as far as the eye can see. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) hopes that many future generations of hikers will be able to enjoy similarly colorful views to the horizon. However, they need your … Read more “Mountain monitors needed”
Categories: Biology, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors
By Elizabeth Walter, Sep 02, 2010
While dragonflies and damselflies might belong to the same scientific class as the common housefly, the gossamer-winged zoomers seem a world apart from their less-enchanting six-legged cousins. Sitting outdoors in the San Juan Islands last weekend, I had a chance to observe a few blue dragonflies up close as they swooped in to check out … Read more “Here be dragonflies”
Categories: Citizen Science, Insects, Nature & Outdoors
