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Calling All Citizen Scientists! My children and I recently spent an afternoon taking pictures of local plants and animals at a nearby park. We used the Seek app by iNaturalist, a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society, to explore a variety of species. My kids were so engaged in this activity that they didn’t want to go home! They found it so fascinating that the app would identify details about a plant or animal by simply taking a picture of it.
What Is Citizen Science?
Not only does iNaturalist help kids learn how to identify wildlife and plants and encourage them to spend more time outside, but kids are also helping experts collect data by practicing citizen science.
Volunteers have varying levels of expertise, from kids in their backyards to members of high school science clubs to amateur astronomers with sophisticated home equipment. And technology, namely apps like iNaturalist, make citizen science more accessible today than ever before. Projects typically involve volunteers collecting data, like counting certain types of birds they see in their neighborhood or taking pictures and submitting them digitally.
So what exactly is citizen science? Read on to learn about this educational — and fun! — initiative: Words by Sandi Schwartz
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, citizen science is “the collection and analysis of data relating to the natural world by members of the general public, typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists.” Citizen science involves volunteering to collect data, and it is a way for our children to gain science experience and directly help the scientific community. It also allows government offices and other organizations to engage the public in addressing societal needs and accelerating science, technology and innovation. Additionally, citizen science helps address real-world problems like climate change and biodiversity.
Citizen science isn’t a new phenomenon. Since 1900, the National Audubon Society has organized the Christmas Bird Count that runs from December 14 through January 5 each year. An experienced birder leads a group (called a circle) of volunteers as they collect information about local populations of birds. More than 2,000 circles operate across the United States and Canada. Ultimately, this wildlife census contributes to bird conservation efforts.
16 PLAYGROUND Aug / Sept 2021
