We are a collaboration between SciStarter, a global hub for citizen science, and the European Citizen Science Academy, developing a free course to allow you to uptake citizen science within your public library.
Citizen science is public participation in scientific research. It is a collaboration between professionally trained researchers (i.e. they know and carry out the scientific research process) and non-professionally trained researchers (i.e. this can be anyone). People can participate in citizen science by taking and submitting photos of local flora and fauna to databases such as iNaturalist, monitoring air and water quality, measuring light pollution, and so much more.
Libraries across the globe are introducing citizen science concepts, projects, and resources to engage their patrons in these meaningful scientific activities that contribute to research. Benefits for libraries are varied. They can be educational and also more societally broader, such as learning more about biodiversity, connecting individuals to the natural world, and also allowing them to contribute to research that can, at times, inform policy goals.
Course Objectives
Join us to learn the following:
- Articulate why libraries are key institutions for broadening citizen science engagement with the public.
- Understand different ways of introducing and supporting citizen science engagement at your library.
- Be exposed to examples of libraries that carry out citizen science activities.
- Map out the current state/resources of your public library to carry out a citizen science activity and/or become a hub for citizen science.
Dates and Times
This free online course is structured in the following way for broader participation across time zones. All course materials will be presented in English.
- Complete the self-guided Foundations of Citizen Science training module by 12 May, 2024.
- Attend a two-part, 5-hour online course:
- Part 1 on 15 May at 9:00am - 11:30am EST | 3:00pm - 5:30pm CET
- Part 2 on 22 May at 9:00am - 11:30am EST | 3:00pm - 5:30pm CET
Attend an optional 1-hour meet-up on 21 May at 10:00am EST | 4:00 pm CET
This session will serve as a pilot run to develop this course on citizen science for public libraries. This course would then be hosted on the SciStarter and ECS Academy platforms.
Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate from both SciStarter and the ECS Academy.
