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How to build and run a citizen science research project.

This is a course for anyone who wants to get involved in developing a citizen science research project.

Using off the shelf equipment, and free software, course participants will learn how to go from constructing a research question, to analyzing data, to communicating their findings.

This course follows the scientific method through a series of questions. In addressing these questions participants will develop and run their project.

This course seeks to both increase the scientific literacy skills of its participants, as well as increase their level of civic engagement through science.

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Define a field of interest

If you're already interested in doing environmental research the next step is to define what field of study you're interested in within environmental science. For example, if you're interested in the effects of air quality or long-term climate then your field of interested can be defined as atmospheric science. Or, if you're interested in topics such as ocean acidification and algae blooms, then you're field of interest is oceanic science.

While environmental science readily lends itself to interdisciplinary work you'll want to develop your own project first and later tie it into other research. The idea here is to choose a broad topic within the overall realm on environmental science so you can begin to narrow down your project to a manageable level.

Task Discussion

Tristian June 27, 2013, 2:28 p.m.

Intrested in Bioscan project
levisimons June 27, 2013, 2:31 p.m.
In Reply To: Tristian June 27, 2013, 2:28 p.m.

Tristian,

Welcome aboard!
Conor Grice June 18, 2013, 4:02 p.m.

Day one: I have printed part of of a robotic hand. I am going to print the rest when possible. At the moment I am sanding part one to perfection.
levisimons June 18, 2013, 5:39 p.m.
In Reply To: Conor Grice June 18, 2013, 4:02 p.m.

Conor,

Great! Do you have a link to where the files for the hand are located?
Stephanie Trejo June 17, 2013, 4:43 p.m.

I am interested in the bioSCAN project
levisimons June 17, 2013, 5:34 p.m.
In Reply To: Stephanie Trejo June 17, 2013, 4:43 p.m.

Background research on testing the efficacy of traps are posted here: http://scienceland.wikispaces.com/BioSCAN

Our involvement with BioSCAN so far: http://research.nhm.org/bioscan/nightwatch.html
Miana June 17, 2013, 4:39 p.m.

I am interested in the Safecast projects
levisimons June 17, 2013, 5:28 p.m.
In Reply To: Miana June 17, 2013, 4:39 p.m.

We'll be downloading data through our API here: https://api.safecast.org/en-US/home

Here's an example of the sort of analysis we've started: http://blog.safecast.org/2013/05/en-monitoring-fallout-decay/
Cleoh June 17, 2013, 4:38 p.m.

I'm interested in the bio scan project as well.
levisimons June 17, 2013, 4:46 p.m.
In Reply To: Cleoh June 17, 2013, 4:38 p.m.

Background research on testing the efficacy of traps are posted here: http://scienceland.wikispaces.com/BioSCAN

Our involvement with BioSCAN so far: http://research.nhm.org/bioscan/nightwatch.html
Viana Garcia June 17, 2013, 4:37 p.m.

I am interested in the Bio scan
levisimons June 17, 2013, 5:32 p.m.
In Reply To: Viana Garcia June 17, 2013, 4:37 p.m.

Background research on testing the efficacy of traps are posted here: http://scienceland.wikispaces.com/BioSCAN

Our involvement with BioSCAN so far: http://research.nhm.org/bioscan/nightwatch.html
Conor Grice June 17, 2013, 4:37 p.m.

SOOOooooo. I want to start the process of building a robotic exoskeleton. This will be an improvment on the human design. Also a I have a side project that if goes well will hopefully create immortallity.
levisimons June 17, 2013, 5:33 p.m.
In Reply To: Conor Grice June 17, 2013, 4:37 p.m.

Conor,

It would be a good idea to start with one project idea and begin to narrow it down from there. We do have building equipment on site, but I don't have any experience or equipment related to bio-projects yet.
pamela joya June 17, 2013, 4:35 p.m.

I am interested in the bioSCAN.
levisimons June 17, 2013, 5:28 p.m.
In Reply To: pamela joya June 17, 2013, 4:35 p.m.

Background research on testing the efficacy of traps are posted here: http://scienceland.wikispaces.com/BioSCAN

Our involvement with BioSCAN so far: http://research.nhm.org/bioscan/nightwatch.html
Leslie June 17, 2013, 4:34 p.m.

I am interested on the Bio Scan Project
levisimons June 17, 2013, 4:53 p.m.
In Reply To: Leslie June 17, 2013, 4:34 p.m.

Background research on testing the efficacy of traps are posted here: http://scienceland.wikispaces.com/BioSCAN

Our involvement with BioSCAN so far: http://research.nhm.org/bioscan/nightwatch.html
BusoniG June 17, 2013, 3:40 p.m.

I am interested in patenting and any sort of engineering.
levisimons June 17, 2013, 5:31 p.m.
In Reply To: BusoniG June 17, 2013, 3:40 p.m.

There's engineering involved in the development and testing of insect traps for BioSCAN.

Background research on testing the efficacy of traps are posted here: http://scienceland.wikispaces.com/BioSCAN

Our involvement with BioSCAN so far: http://research.nhm.org/bioscan/nightwatch.html

For intellectual property organizations here are some sites:

http://creativecommons.org/

http://www.plosone.org/
David Olin June 17, 2013, 3:36 p.m.

I am intetrested in Astrophysics, is there a part of this course that can engage this interest?
levisimons June 17, 2013, 5:31 p.m.
In Reply To: David Olin June 17, 2013, 3:36 p.m.

DECO!

http://www.globalsensorweb.org/wiki/index.php/DECO
MaxCaplow June 17, 2013, 3:35 p.m.

HI,

I am interested in space and astronomy as well as mapping and data analysis.
Jesse June 17, 2013, 3:36 p.m.
In Reply To: MaxCaplow June 17, 2013, 3:35 p.m.

*interested *analysis I'd be interested in you doing some analysis of your diction to make sure it is free of spelling and grammatical errors
levisimons June 17, 2013, 3:41 p.m.
In Reply To: MaxCaplow June 17, 2013, 3:35 p.m.

DECO!

http://www.globalsensorweb.org/wiki/index.php/DECO
Jesse June 17, 2013, 2:36 p.m.

Hi

I have a field of interest in mapping entomological biodiversity in the Los Angeles Basin

But how will I do this?

Through a multi-disciplinary approach ~~combining~~ synthesizing knowledge in engineering, entomology, and design
levisimons June 17, 2013, 5:29 p.m.
In Reply To: Jesse June 17, 2013, 2:36 p.m.

Background research on testing the efficacy of traps are posted here: http://scienceland.wikispaces.com/BioSCAN

Our involvement with BioSCAN so far: http://research.nhm.org/bioscan/nightwatch.html