This is a brief post on the Citizen Science Association’s blog. It is designed to highlight how learning is possible through participation in citizen science and to pose questions that encourage the organizers of citizen science projects to consider the many ways they might serve, inspire, and support current and future participants.

This post was written by the Education Working Group of the Citizen Science Association. It doesn’t encourage all citizen science programs to approach education in the same way, but does articulate the potential for citizen science to be used to reinvigorate civic engagement, broaden participation in science, awaken curiosity and joy, ignite passion for learning, and welcome diverse learners with a variety of interests, talents, and motivations.

Go to Learning Through Citizen Science: An Aspirational Vision and Ten Questions

Citizen and community science is scientific research conducted, in whole or in part, by nonprofessional scientists. Citizen and community science is sometimes described as public participation in scientific research, participatory monitoring, or participatory action research. Its outcomes are often advancements in scientific research, as well as an increase in the public's understanding of science. Four common features of citizen and community science practice are: (a) anyone can participate, (b) participants use the same protocols so that data can be combined and is of 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. View more resources in the Citizen and Community Science PRO Picks collection >