Community Science

Community-based science (sometimes called Citizen Science) happens when people come together to make observations, share information and solve problems.

SciStarter's Libraries as Community Hubs for Citizen Science explains the who, what, where, and why of citizen science, how to set up your SciStarter account, how to find projects, and how to provide data to two projects.

Already familiar with community based science? Find out about hundreds of community-based science projects at the website Scistarter.org. You can create an account and search for topics of interest. You choose which projects to join.

Anyone can participate. Because you have to create an account to post your results, if you are under the age of 16 you will need an adult to participate with you.

Yes. You will mark down your observations and when you return your kit, let staff know you need help entering your observations.  You will be able to use a library computer to enter your observations from the web.

The library has kits you can check out. Each kit has instruments and instructions to help you get involved in a real-world science project. You can use the kits to make observations and share your findings. The kits focus on three areas:

• Biodiversity
• Pollinators
• Measuring Light at Night

Each kit is linked up to a Community-Based science project.

The Pollinator Kit

• Binoculars
• Stopwatch
• Field Notebook
• Field Guides
• Instructions to join The Great Sunflower Project

The Biodiversity Kit

• Clip-on Lens Set for Smartphone
• Magnifying Glass
• Field Notebook
• Field Guides
• Instructions for iNaturalist

Measuring Light at Night Kit

• Sky Quality Meter-L
• Red LED flashlight
• Planisphere map of the night sky
• Instructions for Globe at Night

You can reserve a community-based science kit online just as you would a book. The kit will be sent to your home library for you to pick up. You can check a kit out for three weeks and return it to any library branch.

Visit these sites:

• The Field Guide to Citizen Science: How You Can Contribute to Scientific Research and Make a Difference
• Citizen Science: How Ordinary People Are Changing the Face of Discovery
• Citizen Science: How Anyone Can Contribute to Scientific Discovery (teen)
• Citizen Science (child)