Defining the Future of Research: The Science & Tech Forum in Los Angeles

If you’re on the west coast, you won’t want to miss the Science and Tech Forum: Los Angeles. It takes place this weekend from 9/28 to 9/29 and features a robust lineup of speakers from various science backgrounds. What’s unique about this conference is that it allows the attendees to set the agenda and organize sessions. … Read more “Defining the Future of Research: The Science & Tech Forum in Los Angeles”

Categories: Events

Stop, Collaborate and…Vote! Help solve climate change with MIT’s Climate CoLab Project

Do you have an idea about how to approach climate change?  You’re not alone.  Thousands of other people around the world are coming up with potential solutions to one of the world’s most challenging problems, but until now they have not been able to easily connect. MIT’s Climate CoLab is attempting to change this by bringing … Read more “Stop, Collaborate and…Vote! Help solve climate change with MIT’s Climate CoLab Project”

Categories: Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Contest

Final Four citizen science projects!

This post originally appeared on the PLOS Blog Network. We’re down to the Final Four in this year’s NCAA tournament, and chances are your bracket isn’t looking too good. Welcome to the club. Worry not! We’ve got four citizen science projects that will help you make the most of Final Four weekend. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES fans… … Read more “Final Four citizen science projects!”

Categories: Animals, Astronomy & Space, Biology, Birds, CitSci Research, Climate & Weather, Contest, Insects

AAAS Webinar on April 5: “How to recruit citizen scientists for discovery.”

From the AAAS website: Have a research project that requires large data collection and analysis? Working on a tight budget and an even tighter timeline? Ever thought about outsourcing some of this work to the public? Using the power of the crowd, via the Internet and social media, citizens scientists can help get the job … Read more “AAAS Webinar on April 5: “How to recruit citizen scientists for discovery.””

Categories: Events

Citizen Science Academy: Bunny Slippers Optional

  When I first became involved in online professional development (PD) courses about 10 years ago, the casual approach to participation in terms of time and attire were often noted as desirable features. An often-touted advantage to online PD was that individuals could participate at 3 a.m. wearing pajamas and bunny slippers. Over the years, … Read more “Citizen Science Academy: Bunny Slippers Optional”

Categories: Citizen Science, Guest Contributor, Workshops

What would you do with this technology?

Scientific research aims to answer questions, progress disciplinary knowledge, and ultimately better society by providing new applications of technology and ideas toward common problems. But, over time, the products of our countless research projects, while potentially still useful, go unutilized, and can be forgotten in the basements of University libraries or the dusty archives of … Read more “What would you do with this technology?”

Categories: Citizen Science, Contest, Do-It-Yourself, Gaming

On this, National Squirrel Day, we feature Craig Newmark and squirrelly citizen science.

SciStarter asked Craig Newmark (of Craigslist fame) why he likes squirrels. He told us that it all started with a simple desire to feed birds. But the suet palaces he was using to dispense the raw, fat-based bird food were constantly getting hacked by squirrels. He tried everything; he even upgraded to “squirrel-resistant” models, to … Read more “On this, National Squirrel Day, we feature Craig Newmark and squirrelly citizen science.”

Categories: Animals, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Contest, Ecology & Environment, Guest Contributor, Nature & Outdoors

Contest unites citizen scientists with DIYers! (Win cool prizes if you enter by Monday!)

This post originally appeared on PLOS blogs. This post was originally published on CitizenSci, a PLOS blog about the projects, people, and perspectives fueling new frontiers for citizen science. Hear ye, hear ye! This is an open call to artists, engineers, filmmakers, scientists, hobbyists, lobbyists, foodies, gamers, musicians, photogs, techies, adults, kids, dreamers, schemers, hackers, … Read more “Contest unites citizen scientists with DIYers! (Win cool prizes if you enter by Monday!)”

Categories: Citizen Science, Contest, Do-It-Yourself

Are you up to the (water) challenge, today?

When you wake up in the morning and start your daily routine—take a shower, brush your teeth, cook breakfast—do you ever stop to wonder where all that water you’re using comes from? It’s availability (or lack thereof) is certainly not a common worry in the United States, where as of 2005 (the latest assessment of … Read more “Are you up to the (water) challenge, today?”

Categories: Biology, Citizen Science, Contest, Do-It-Yourself, Ecology & Environment, Health, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water, Science Education Standards

Citizen Scientists Go Back to School

It happens every year, and you’re right: it’s just not fair. After nearly three months of uninterrupted fun, gone are the barbeques, ball games and pool parties that dominated the summer schedule just as Labor Day signals the sudden arrival of the shorter, colder, and more structured days of the school year. But before you … Read more “Citizen Scientists Go Back to School”

Categories: Animals, Astronomy & Space, Biology, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Do-It-Yourself, Ecology & Environment, Insects, Nature & Outdoors, Science Education Standards, Workshops