Citizen science is the practice of public participation in scientific research, where non-professional scientists contribute observations, data, or analysis to real scientific projects.

It’s about democratizing science: people help gather knowledge on topics ranging from climate change, biodiversity, and astronomy to public health, pollution, and archaeology.

Participation can be as simple as reporting the birds you see in your backyard, classifying galaxies online, or using your smartphone to monitor air quality.

Citizen science matters because it:

• Expands scientific capacity – Scientists can’t be everywhere at once; public contributions make larger, more diverse datasets possible.
  
• Builds awareness & engagement – Participants learn about scientific methods and the world around them.
  
• Drives real impact – Data collected by volunteers has been used in peer-reviewed research, conservation policies, and disaster response.
  

Citizen Science Projects

Astronomy

• Zooniverse – Classify galaxies, identify wildlife in camera-trap photos, or transcribe historical weather logs.
  
• Globe at Night – Report light pollution by measuring night sky brightness.
  

Wildlife & Nature

• eBird – Record bird sightings and contribute to global migration and conservation studies.
  
• iNaturalist – Share photos of plants, fungi, and animals to help identify species and track biodiversity.
  
• The Great Backyard Bird Count – Annual worldwide bird census.
  

Environment & Climate

• GLOBE Observer – Track cloud cover, mosquito habitats, trees, and land cover using a mobile app.
  
• AirVisual Earth – Contribute to community-based air quality monitoring.
  
• CoCoRaHS – Join the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, & Snow Network to track local weather.
  

Health & Society

• Foldit – Play an online puzzle game that helps scientists understand protein folding (important for medical research).
  
• Eterna – Solve puzzles to help scientists design RNA-based medicine.
  

Additional Resources

• SciStarter – Directory of thousands of citizen science projects worldwide.
  
• CitizenScience.gov – U.S. government hub for federally supported citizen science.
  
• European Citizen Science Association – Network promoting citizen science in Europe.
  
• NASA Citizen Science – Opportunities to contribute to space and Earth science.

How to Get Involved

1. Pick a topic you care about – Whether it’s astronomy, wildlife, pollution, or health, start with your interests.
   
2. Find a project that fits your lifestyle:
   
   • Short-term & casual: Try photo ID projects like iNaturalist.
     
   • Daily contributions: Join eBird or CoCoRaHS.
     
   • Online-only: Classify data on Zooniverse.
     
   • Community-based: Volunteer with a local environmental monitoring group.
     
3. Use your smartphone as a tool – Many projects have apps that let you upload data instantly.
   
4. Start small – Try one project for a few minutes a week.
   
5. Connect with others – Many projects have online forums or local groups where you can learn and share experiences.
   

Tips for Success

• Be consistent: Even small contributions add up when done regularly.
  
• Follow instructions carefully: Data quality matters for research.
  
• Stay curious: Read project updates and findings to see how your work contributes.
  
• Invite friends, family, or classrooms: Many projects are designed for groups.

Citizen science is about more than data collection; it’s about participation, learning, and empowerment. Whether you have five minutes or five hours, your contributions can support real discoveries and help solve global challenges.

• https://theoryandpractice.citizenscienceassociation.org/
• https://science.nasa.gov/citizen-science/
• https://participatorysciences.org/
• https://www.birds.cornell.edu/citizenscience/about-the-projects/
• https://citizenscienceglobal.org/
• https://citizenscience.org.au/
• https://www.ecsa.ngo/
• https://www.usa.gov/citizen-science
• https://scistarter.org/