Introducing Citizen Science

Anyone can participate in ongoing scientific research. There are numerous projects ranging from helping MIT researchers map the neurons of the eye to classifying galaxies for NASA astronomers to planting milkweed and counting butterflies. Spend 30 minutes a day or several hours on the weekend helping scientists process their data in ways that are often set up as if it were a game. If you'd prefer to get away from the computer there are many projects that can be done in the home, your backyard or a specific locations of interest.

Use the filters below to sift through the numerous projects that are looking for someone to help.

  • CoderDojo

    Project Goal: 
    Provide a volunteer led movement that provides regular sessions and clubs to inspire and teach young people to how to code software.
    Your Role: 
    Find your nearest CoderDojo or start one yourself.
    Read more
    Website: 
    CoderDojo Website

  • Scrap To Power

    Project Goal: 
    Find and test new, useful and unusual uses for broken stuff.
    Your Role: 
    Don't throw away items that could be used generate power or perform other tasks, checkout the project ideas at the link below and try a few yourself.
    Read more
    Website: 
    Scrap To Power Website

  • North American Butterfly Association

    Project Goal: 
    Increase public enjoyment and conservation of butterflies by: creating a website for people to share their sightings; organize counting efforts in May and July; and establish local chapters for people to join.
    Your Role: 
    Sign up to do a count and report your data.
    Read more
    Website: 
    Website Main Page

  • Google Science Fair 2014

    Project Dates: 
    2014-02-12 to 2014-05-12
    Project Goal: 
    The Google Science Fair is a global online science and technology competition open to students ages 13 to 18.
    Your Role: 
    Review the guidelines, develop a project idea, do the work and submit it by 12 May 2014.
    Read more
    Website: 
    Website Main Page

  • Firefly Watch

    Project Goal: 
    Learn the geographic distribution of fireflies and help to determine what impacts their survival.
    Your Role: 
    Register your backyard's characteristics, begin making observations and submit your data.
    Read more
    Website: 
    Website Main Page

  • Stable Isotope Project

    Project Goal: 
    Investigate patterns of reproduction, emergence and migration of different species of dragonfly at different latitudes.
    Your Role: 
    View the links below and then contact the project leader, Sara Zahendra (szahendra 'at' vtecostudies.org) at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies for further details.
    Read more
    Website: 
    Projects information page (go to halfway down)

  • Dragonfly Migration Monitoring

    Project Goal: 
    Understand the timing, duration, and direction of travel of migrating dragonflies and discovery any variations from season to season.
    Your Role: 
    Visit the website below to learn how to recognize the 5 focal species and monitor a location during their Fall and Spring migrations.
    Read more
    Website: 
    Website main page

  • Dragonfly Pond Watch

    Project Goal: 
    Understand the timing and location of dragonfly migrations throughout North America and improve knowledge of the local life history of dragonflies in each area.
    Your Role: 
    Locate a large pond or wetland, review the resources section on dragonflies, and start reporting your observations.
    Read more
    Website: 
    Pond Watch

  • e-Butterfly

    Project Goal: 
    Bring butterfly enthusiasts and scientists together and provide a place to share photos and locational data. Provide data that can be used to understand butterfly adaptation and responses to change.
    Your Role: 
    Observe butterflies, photograph them and submit records of your data. Also search the database for species that have been seen in your area.
    Read more
    Website: 
    Website Main Page in English

  • Vanessa (Red Admirals and Painted Ladies)

    Project Goal: 
    Coordinate observations of territorial behavior, migration, life history, populations, seasonal variations, body size and number of broods of butterflies from the Vanessa genus.
    Your Role: 
    Learn how to recognize red admirals and painted ladies and report your observations of these butterflies.
    Read more
    Website: 
    Website Main Page

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