Four photos of different squirrel species and the SciStarter logo.

Go nuts with these 5 squirrel-themed citizen science projects

Squirrels are fantastic creatures that live all over the world, including your backyard! These floofy-tailed creatures are more than adorable (and sometimes annoying) creatures — they’re actually perfect models to study evolution, species conservation and habitats (like woodpecker cavities). Your local squirrel observations are needed for research questions like these and more. Find out how … Read more “Go nuts with these 5 squirrel-themed citizen science projects”

Categories: Newsletter

City Squirrels Look Different. Is Evolution Driving a Color Change?

In 1902, an international trade deal was brokered between the U.S. and Canada. Frank Baker, superintendent of the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., had been working on the deal for some time. In a letter from 1900 sent to several addresses in Ontario, Canada, Baker explains he is “very desirous of obtaining” a particular … Read more “City Squirrels Look Different. Is Evolution Driving a Color Change?”

Categories: Animals

Top 18 Projects of 2018

2018 was a great year for Citizen Science! More than 3,000 projects and events are now registered on SciStarter. There’s something for everyone, everywhere. In this edition of the newsletter, we are honoring the Top 18 Projects of 2018: projects that our collective community shared, participated in, and loved. Cheers! The SciStarter Team GLOBE Observer: … Read more “Top 18 Projects of 2018”

Categories: Astronomy & Space, Biology, Birds, Citizen Science, Climate & Weather, Ecology & Environment, Featured Projects, Health, Insects, Nature & Outdoors, Newsletter

SciStarter in the Classroom

Here are our picks of the week for educators and learners (and, really, aren’t we all life-long learners?). Each project includes lesson plans aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. Ooooooh! The school bell is about to ring. Here’s to a great year of learning and contributing to science. Cheers! The SciStarter Team

Categories: Uncategorized

SciStarter logo

Here’s your chance to earn a SciStarter Citizen Science Certificate!

Have you accepted Your Research Mission yet? SciStarter is challenging you to a special mission to join and participate (at least once) in any three of these SciStarter Affiliate projects. Complete your mission and you’ll earn a SciStarter certificate. Keep on participating and you’ll be eligible to become one of the top three mission contributors to win some swag and be connected with of … Read more “Here’s your chance to earn a SciStarter Citizen Science Certificate!”

Categories: Citizen Science, Do-It-Yourself, Featured Projects, Newsletter, Science Practices, SciStarter News

And the Squirrels Were Merry

I grew up in Fishtown, Philadelphia, an inner city grid of red-brick row homes, corner bars, candy shops, and barely-breathing factories. Fishtown was not known for its wildlife. There were birds. A wide variety, if two counts as a wide variety: big birds (pigeons) and small birds (sparrows). There were cats and an occasional dog … Read more “And the Squirrels Were Merry”

Categories: Animals, Citizen Science, Nature & Outdoors, Other

Spot a Squirrel and Help Science

January 21st is Squirrel Appreciation Day! Celebrate by participating in one of these squirrel-centric projects. It sounds a little nutty, but researchers rely on your squirrel observations to advance research about these furry friends.  Find more projects on SciStarter to do now, or bookmark your favorites for later! Cheers! The SciStarter Team Photo: USFWS Project … Read more “Spot a Squirrel and Help Science”

Categories: Animals, Citizen Science, Newsletter