How do we get potential citizen science contributors (the public) more comfortable with participating in real science projects when they have not ‘done’ science since high school, and even then, in a controlled environment? What is important for certain communities, or the general public, to know about your studies, and how can you create mutually beneficial projects?
SciStarter, Arizona State University Library, and the School for the Future of Innovation in Society know that people are interested in learning about and contributing to science that addresses a variety of topics, local to global in scale. In this webinar, we will provide an overview of Citizen Science Month, a public-facing program designed to spark awareness of and interest in citizen science. Specifically, this webinar will cover the brief history of this effort from its humble beginnings as Citizen Science Day to an international, month-long event; why this visibility benefits researchers and participants alike; how to get involved and make the most of this collaborative opportunity; and what the future of this event may hold.
Citizen Science Month 2020 will take place in April, overlapping such landmark events as the Earth Day 50th Anniversary, National Library Week, City Nature Challenge, and more. SciStarter and the Citizen Science Association are providing targeted celebration days for all kinds of citizen science project areas and resources for promoting and conducting public activities, including weekly informational and brainstorming calls that are open to everyone, archived and upcoming webinars, downloadable resources (logos, social media templates, posters, book lists, bookmarks, and more) and the newly revised Library and Community Guide to Citizen Science Month!
This is a free event. Please register to receive connection details.
Presenters:
Caroline Nickerson
Caroline is a Master of Public Policy student at American University with a focus on environmental and climate change policy. She is also affiliated with the UF-VA UNESCO Bioethics Unit, the Christensen Project, the DC Gator Club, and the Commission on Local Debates. Caroline is a Reilly Environmental Policy Scholar and the 2019 Cherry Blossom Princess representing the state of Florida. Caroline manages SciStarter's Syndicated Blog Network, which encompasses the Science Connected, Discover Magazine, and SciStarter platforms, and manages SciStarter's Citizen Science Month program and other programmatic and outreach efforts.
Dan Stanton
Dan is an Associate Librarian in the Engagement and Learning Services Department of the Arizona State University Library. Dan has over twenty-five years of academic library experience, but is fairly new to citizen science. Dan works with ASU and SciStarter to develop citizen science kits and other resources in partnership with public libraries.
Vivienne Byrd
Librarian III/STEAM Librarian in the Exploration and Creativity Department at the Los Angeles Public Library, Vivienne leads the systemwide Neighborhood Science program and Full STEAM Ahead initiative. She currently serves as a member of the American Library Association's Sustainability Round Table's Programming Committee. Vivienne is also the lead producer of the DTLA Mini Maker Faires and serves as a Climate Reality Leader for the Climate Reality Leadership Corps.