Citizen Science: Home

Citizen science is a partnership between scientists and ordinary citizens, all of whom share curiosity and concern about the health and welfare of the planet, and seek to make a difference. For example, people collect data by taking photos, documenting changes in nature, or using smartphone sensors to help scientists monitor natural resources such as water and air quality, all in service of helping to advance health and medical research.  A citizen science project can involve one person or millions of people collaborating towards a common goal. Typically, public involvement is in data collection, analysis or reporting.

Here are four common features of citizen science practice: (a) anyone can participate, (b) participants use the same protocol so data can be combined and be high quality, (c) data can help real scientists come to real conclusions and (d) a wide community of scientists and volunteers work together and share data to which the public, as well as scientists, have access. 

This guide offers print and eBook resources to learn more about participatory science, as well as web portals where you can search for and get involved with projects that interest you, and can help make a difference. 

McKillop Library has two citizen science kits you can borrow that include everything you need to collect and report data:

Measuring Light in the Night: 

Too much light pollution can wash out starlight in the night sky, disrupt human and animal sleep, interfere with ecosystems such as bird migrations, have adverse health effects, and waste energy. 

Exploring Biodiversity

This kit includes a telescoping lens that can be paired with your smartphone to view and photograph species in your area. If you enjoy birdwatching, the kits also includes binoculars and a handbook of birds found in Rhode Island and Connecticut. By sharing and recording your observations through iNaturalist, you’ll help create your own living record of species near you and provide research-quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature. 

Additional Citizen Science Projects You Might Like:

Dark Sky Meter

The Dark Sky Meter (available for iPhones) allows citizen scientists to contribute to a global map of nighttime light pollution. Light pollution is a growing problem in urban environments, but now you can help scientists better understand its effects on the environment. 

Globe at Night

Light pollution not only affects our view of the stars, but it also wastes energy and money (about $2 to $10 billion a year!), causes sleep disorders in people, and disrupts the sleeping, breeding and migration habits of animals. You can join other citizen scientists by measuring your night sky brightness and submitting your observations. Borrow the citizen science kit, Measuring Light in the Night from McKillop Library, and read the instructions for using the light meter. Go to the Globe at Night website to report your data, and while there you can view data from around the world! This project is affiliated with the NSF NoirLab, and data can be shared on the SciStarter dashboard or directly on the Globe at Night website.

Report Bird Strikes

Nearly a billion birds are killed each year in the U.S. from collisions with windows. Since 2023, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island collects data on bird-window collisions in the state. To better understand the number of birds that fall victim to window collisions each year, your help is essential. By collecting simple data on window strikes and reporting it to Audubon, you will provide important information that can be used to determine the number of birds that perish from window-strikes in Rhode Island.

Mysterious Bumpy Beech Bark Project

What causes bumpy bark on American beech trees? Most American beech trees have smooth, light gray bark. This project aims to assess the geographic range and prevalence of bumpy beech bark on American beech trees. There is a perception that it is not harmful to the tree, and researchers at NC State University want to assess by looking at the fullness of the tree canopies after trees leaf out in spring. Don't forget to tag your observations with "bumpy beech bark" if they have it!  Collect observations of bumpy and regular beech bark using iNaturalist.