Citizen Science Projects for Homeschoolers

Citizen science projects can be a really fun way to add more science to your homeschool days! In this post I share about a few of my favorite projects and some resources to help you find citizen science projects near you.

What is citizen science?

Citizen science is scientific research conducted voluntarily by members of the public in collaboration with professional scientists. Anyone can participate in most citizen science projects regardless of age or background. That means that there are real scientific research projects that you and your kids can contribute to! There are many ongoing and annual projects to get involved with. Some projects are local to specific areas and some are nationwide (or even worldwide).

Citizen Science Projects to Check Out:

The Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count is a global project that aims to collect data on worldwide bird populations. It takes place every year for 4 days in mid-February. It's easy to participate, just get outside and bird watch for at least one 15 minute interval during the 4-day count and record the birds you see via birdcount.org or the eBird app.

For more information about the Great Backyard Bird Count and how to participate, follow this link:

https://www.birds.cornell.edu/k12/gbbc/

If you need help identifying birds, check out the Merlin Bird ID app.

The Lost Ladybug Project

Over the last few decades, the composition of ladybug species in North America has been rapidly changing. Many native species are being replaced by non-native species. You can help scientists study this phenomenon by recording your ladybug sightings. To participate, you just need to head outside, photograph ladybugs, and submit your photos along with some basic information about where and when you spotted them.

For more information about how to participate in the Lost Ladybug Project, visit their website:

http://www.lostladybug.org.

NestWatch

NestWatch is a nationwide project whose goal is to collect and process data about trends in the reproductive biology of birds. To participate you must read the project's "nest watching protocol" and take a short quiz to become a certified nest watcher. Then you can start watching and recording observations about active nests you come across.

Check out the NestWatch website to learn more about the project and how to participate:

https://nestwatch.org/.

Globe Observer

Globe Observer is a worldwide project which collects data about clouds, water conditions, plants, and how they change over time. To participate, just download the Globe Observer app and follow the prompts.

Learn more here:

https://observer.globe.gov/do-globe-observer

eBird

The eBird app allows you to submit lists and photos of birds you spot. Your sightings then become part of a global database aimed to help map bird ranges.

You can learn more about the eBird app here:

https://ebird.org/home

eButterfly

The eButterfly community is similar to eBird. To participate, you just record your butterfly sightings on the eButterfly website. Your observations then become part of the nationwide database and scientists can use that data to study changes in butterfly populations and migration.

Check out the eButterfly website to learn more:

https://www.e-butterfly.org/.

iNaturalist

iNaturalist is an online community of individuals sharing information about biodiversity. All you have to do to participate is download the app and upload pictures of plant and wildlife that you come across. iNaturalist also has a wide variety of more specific citizen science projects that you can participate in. It even gives you the opportunity you to start your own projects!

For more information about iNaturalist, check out their website:

https://www.inaturalist.org/

and their active projects page:

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects.

Has your family ever participated in a citizen science project? Tell me about it in the comment section!

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