Gathering data is an important step in scientific research. Depending on scientists’ research questions, data might include daily temperatures, the number of insects present in a given area, or a list of tree species growing in a forest.
Collecting this data can take a long time or cover a huge area. One solution? Working with nonscientists – regular people of all ages – who can record their observations or measurements. Call it crowdsourcing or civic or citizen science, it’s a great way to get involved in some hands-on science!
We’ve profiled several civic science projects over the years. Most recently, we’ve published “Hidden in Plain Sight” about a study on air pollution. Researchers trained middle and high school students in the Duwamish Valley Youth Corps to collect moss samples in industrial neighborhoods in Seattle. The moss samples helped scientists pinpoint sources of dangerous air pollution in the city. And the scientists also studied how working on the project might have impacted the students themselves.
Check out some of our other civic science resources:
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Earthquakes
Read ArticleIn “All Over the Map,” people report earthquake activity in their area to Did You Feel It?, part of the USGS’s Earthquake Hazards Program.
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Lionfish
Read ArticleIn “Lion in Wait,” people reported lionfish sightings to help scientists understand the spread and magnitude of invasive lionfish populations in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Monarch Butterflies
Read ArticleIn our Spotlight on the Monarch Larva Monitoring Program, learn about this long-running program that monitors monarch larva and milkweed habitat throughout North America.
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Seasonal Plants and Animals
Read ArticleRead our Spotlight on the Nature’s Notebook program and become an observer of seasonal plant and animal changes in your own backyard.
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Citizen Science Edition
Browse JournalBrowse a whole journal with these and other civic science articles! Order or download copies free.
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Trees
Explore ModuleGet started with making tree observations using our Moon Trees Learning Module. Click on "Tree Measurements/ Observations" to learn more.
Want to get involved?
Browse the Federal Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Catalog to find a project near you!
