Citizen Science Opportunities Abound

What is citizen science? I’ve never heard of it before.

I don’t have a degree in science. I couldn’t possibly contribute anything of worth.

It’s probably too expensive.

How do I get involved?

These are just a few of the questions or comments I hear as I share with other homeschool families about our experiences with citizen science. Citizen science is nothing new. The National Audubon Society began annual Christmas Bird Counts in 1900 – engaging people across the country in identifying and cataloging native birds.

Now, using the power of the internet, citizen science projects and service learning opportunities are exploding. Citizen science is the collaborative effort of volunteers and professional scientists working together to collect and/or analyze data. Citizen scientists are individuals in all walks of life – regardless of age, level of education, or socio-economic class.

Watch this informative Oregon Field Guide video segment from episode #2402.

You do not need to have an advanced degree in science to guide your children or students in productive participation in citizen science projects. Citizen science falls into many categories – astronomy, biology, ecology, entomology, environmental science, and water quality.

There are many benefits to incorporating citizen science into your curriculum. Involvement in citizen science projects enables students to make connections with relevant, meaningful, and real experiences with science. In turn, their experiences help facilitate their own investigations as they gain confidence.