Citizen Science

Have you ever dreamed about being a scientist? You can live the dream by participating in Citizen Science. Citizen Science allows all people to participate in scientific projects by contributing data to scientific studies. Start your citizen science journey by checking out an Exploring Biodiversity or a Measuring Light in the Night citizen science kit from your local ARCPLS library branch (locations) to get started in citizen science.

Exploring Biodiversity

Use your smartphone to help scientists understand the world around us. Download the iNaturalist app and photograph what you see in the natural environment. This kit includes instructions, lenses for a smartphone camera, a field notebook for your observations, and field guides to plants and animals.

Watch the video below to learn more about how to use the iNaturalist app:

Visit SciStarter’s Exploring Biodiversity page for more information about this project.

Measuring Light in the Night

Collect light pollution levels using a Sky Quality Meter and use the Globe at Night app or website to report your data. The data is used to monitor levels of light pollution around the world as well as learn about the impacts of light pollution on energy consumption, plants, wildlife, and human health.

This kit comes with instructions, a light meter, and a planisphere. The project also asks you to collect your latitude and longitude as well as your altitude. Below are instructions for how to use the light meter and planisphere as well as how to find your coordinates and altitude.

How to use the light meter:

Watch the video below to learn how to use the light meter:

How to use a planisphere:

Watch this video to learn how to use a planisphere:

How to find your coordinates:

Instructions for Google Maps on Android, Apple, and computer
Instructions for iPhone Maps app

How to find your elevation:

Android instructions
iPhone instructions

Visit SciStarter’s Measuring Light in the Night page for more information about this project.

Interested in more citizen science projects? Visit scistarter.org to find projects that need your help.