Citizen Science: It's About Crowdsourcing Presented by: From Iowa State University: Jay Staker, Laura Jesse, Erika Saalau-Rojas, Daren Mueller, and

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1 Citizen Science: It's About Crowdsourcing Presented by: From Iowa State University: Jay Staker, Laura Jesse, Erika Saalau-Rojas, Daren Mueller, and Adam Sisson From University of Minnesota: Trudy Dunham

2 What is a Citizen Scientist? A citizen scientist is a volunteer who collects and/or processes data as part of a scientific enquiry. Projects that involve citizen scientists are burgeoning, particularly in ecology and the environmental sciences, although the roots of citizen science go back to the very beginnings of modern science itself. Silverton, J., A new dawn for citizen science. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. Vol 24, Issue 9. Sept 2009.

3 Moving the Needle Big Data: data collection, groundproofing Cooperative Research Projects: Scientist/citizen partnership Independent Youth Research

4 Citizen Science: Can Volunteers Do Real Research? Can citizen scientists collect accurate, reliable, & usable data? Brian Mitchell, an NPS ecologist: Yes, if we explain to them what they should be doing and how to do it. Nothing we re doing is so difficult that volunteers can t do it if they are properly trained. Scientists who design research projects have to write study protocols that take citizen scientists into account. You have to develop specific protocols. Cohn, J., Citizen Science: Can Volunteers Do Real Research. Bioscience, 58(3):

5 Benefits of Citizen Science Include: Enjoyment: the fun of learning, doing, mastery Social community: Citizen Scientists receive the benefit of contributing, belonging Ability to do real science: Citizen Science allows volunteers to participate in real scientific projects, and to be recognized for this participation

6 Benefits of Citizen Science To Society as a Whole Closer connection between scientists and the public: The public often sees science and scientists as being different and distanced from everyday life. This brings the public and scientists together as partners. Increase in scientific understanding and habits of mind by the public: The more the public is involved in any scientific endeavor, the more they are exposed to the concepts, vocabulary and process of the subject matter being studied. Raddick, M., et al. Citizen Science: Status and Research Directions for the Coming Decade. Astro2010: The Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey, Position Papers, no. 46.

7 Designing Citizen Science Learning The Citizen Science Curriculum Framework was developed using Wiggins and McTighe s curriculum development process -- Understanding by Design -- which consists of three steps. Step 1: Identify desired results and skills, i.e., content standards. What is worthy and requiring of understanding? Step 2: Determine acceptable evidence of learning, i.e, performance standards. What is evidence of understanding? Step 3: Plan learning experiences and instruction, i.e., curriculum material and lessons. What learning experiences and teaching promote understanding? From Field Inquiry through Citizen Science: A Framework for Environmental Literacy. Cornell Lab of Ornithology Citizen Science Central.

8 Public Participation in Scientific Research: Converging on Effective Design Strategies Shirk, J. et al. (2011). Public Participation in Scientific Research: Converging on Effective Design Strategies. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, University of California, Davis, Syracuse University School of Information Sciences, Rutgers University, Dickinson College, Carnegie Museum of Natural History

9 Scientist Perspective Agronomy Disease and pest scouting Increase reach using trained youth Training youth through curriculum and competition Impact Scientist Youth

10 Scientist Perspective Entomology/Plant Pathology Pest management principles Urban impact Moving the Needle Big Data to Independent Student Research

11 What s Out There? Space Climate Humanities Nature Biology

12 What s Out There? NASA, USGS, and 4-H: h.org/programs/science/.../nasa-adopt-a-pixel- Project.dwn Groundproofing for satellite imaging

13 What s Out There? NASA S COOL: Cloud observer ground proofing Globe at Night Be a Martian Lunar Impact Monitoring NASA Big Data: My NASA Data

14 What s Out There? Citizen Science Central: Cornell Lab of Ornithology Finding Projects Mammals Birds Invertebrates Plants Invasive Species Water Quality Air Quality Weather Climate Change Astronomy

15 What s Out There? Think Local Search for Citizen Science Projects in your area Find local scientists and start projects Network with distant partners to build projects across distance Match youth interests and passions Don t forget the social sciences! Be creative, get involved, make a difference!

16 Thanks for participating! Our next Webinar is: Citizen Science: Taking It Local Wednesday November 6 Noon Central Time To register & for more information: