Do informal science ed? Interested in citizen science? This set of slides introduces how citizen science can be a great fit for science centers and other informal science institutions, and helps you get connect to resources to get you started.

1. Citizen Science
-at-
Science Centers

2. Citizen Science
Members of the public engaging in
real-world scientific investigations:
asking questions, collecting data,
and/or interpreting results.

3. It’s
learning…
In the Monarch Larvae
Monitoring
Program, youth
“bond” over loving
science!
(Kountoupes and Oberhauser 2008)
Photo, MLMP photo gallery

4. … and it’s
real science!
Monarch data predict ideal
breeding conditions will be
found further north in
the future.
(Batalden et al. 2007)

5. But,
how do
you do
both?
and well?
at science centers?!

6. We have
experience
to share …

7. … and so do you!
Survey: citizen science in science centers?
Interested but not yet
involved Current
(87) involvement
(41)
Opportunities.
Past
involvement
(24)
Never
again
(3)

8. … and so do you!
Survey: citizen science in science centers?
Interested but not yet
involved Current
(87) involvement
(41)
Opportunities.
Past
involvement
Learning (24)
opportunities! Never
again
(3)

9. So,
what
works?
“I am able to work with
this kind of programming
because it…”
0 10 20 30 40 50

10. So,
what
works?
“I am able to work with
this kind of programming
because it…”
… is supported by
external funding
nope.
0 10 20 30 40 50

11. So,
what
works?
“I am able to work with
this kind of programming
because it…”
… fits well with our
institutional priorities
ding
ding
0 10 20 30 40 50
ding!

12. We help you gain:
• Awareness of a wide range of citizen science
projects and approaches
• Knowledge of where to start looking for
ideas, resources, and support
• Connections with a community of practice for
citizen science
• Skills to develop a citizen science
strategy targeted for your institution
and goals

13. Now …

14. …do
you
want to do
citizen
science?

15. Get started
here:
CitizenScience.org/ISIs

16. Photo credits:
Project NestWatch, www.nestwatch.org
Project BudBurst, www.neoninc.org/budburst
Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Program, www.cocorahs.org
Lost Ladybug Project, www.lostladybug.org
GalaxyZoo, www.galaxyzoo.org
CyberTracker, www.cybertracker.org
Monarch Larvae Monitoring Project, www.mlmp.org
AnitaGould on Flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/anitagould/46701075/
Resources:
Kountoupes, D. L., and K. S. Oberhauser. 2008. Citizen Science and Youth Audiences: Educational
Outcomes of the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project. Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship
1:10-20.
Batalden, R. V., K. Oberhauser, and A. T. Peterson. 2007. Ecological Niches in Sequential Generations of
Eastern North American Monarch Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Danaidae): The Ecology of Migration and
Likely Climate Change Implications. Environmental Entomology 36:1365-1373.
For more information:
CitizenScience.org
cscentral@cornell.edu