Citizen Science Projects: How to Make a Difference

Syllabus

• Week 1

  Getting started with citizen observatories

  • Welcome to Week 1

    In this activity, we'll welcome you to the course and introduce citizen science and citizen observatories.

  • Getting started with citizen science

    In this activity, we'll find out what experience you have with citizen science so far, and look at some best practices for getting started in this exciting field.

  • Understanding the issue or problem

    In this activity, we'll explore how your observatory or campaign team can begin to understand an environmental issue you are concerned about, and we'll show you a mapping technique that you can try.

  • Choosing a question

    In this activity, we'll explore how to choose a question – a centra part of any observatory or citizen science campaign. You'll hear about how our observatories did this, and we'll also explore campaign design.

  • Forming a team

    In this activity, we'll look at how to form an active and engaged team as part of your observatory or campaign. You'll get some advice from our observatories and we'll talk about wider community-building.

  • Week 1 summary

    In this activity, we'll close the week and check your understanding of what we've learned so far.

• Week 2

  Observing your environment

  • Welcome to Week 2

    In this activity, we'll introduce Week 2 and explore one type of environmental challenge that you could work on – land use and land cover.

  • Deciding what data to collect

    You might be wondering how you know what data to collect, so in this activity, we'll find out! We'll also take a look at community-level indicators, and reflect on the types of data you already collect without even realising it.

  • Developing protocols for data collection

    There are many tools and kits out there that can help you with data collection – you don't have to invent your protocol from scratch! In this activity, we'll explore what's available and help you get set up for data collection.

  • Training for data collection

    You'll need to show your participants and team how to collect the data you want, so in this step we'll explain how you can give this training.

  • Capturing or generating the data

    In this activity, we'll look at DIY and crowdsourced options for data collection, and find out how technology can help with this core part of your project.

  • Week 2 summary

    In this activity, we'll review the week and check your understanding so far.

• Week 3

  Analysing and visualising your observations and results

  • Welcome to Week 3

    In this activity, we'll introduce you to Week 3, and put a spotlight on biodiversity – a big environmental issue that citizen scientists are working on.

  • Collecting quality observations and data from your environment

    In this actvity, we'll explore how to successfully manage your data.

  • Understanding the data

    In this activity, we'll share ways to help everyone understand and interpret the data you're collecting.

  • Analysing the data

    In this activity, we'll look for simple ways to analyse data you have on hand.

  • Visualising the data

    In this activity, we'll look at creative and impactful options for visualising your data to spur wider action.

  • Week 3 summary

    In this activity, we'll close the week and check your understanding of what we've learned so far.

• Week 4

  Sharing results and creating change

  • Welcome to Week 4

    In this activity, we'll introduce you to Week 4, and put a spotlight on soil moisture – a critical climate issue that one of our observatories is working hard to tackle.

  • Disseminating results

    In this activity, we'll look at how to share your results. As a starting point, we'll think about who the audience is, what outcome you are trying influence, and how to communicate this effectively.

  • Change-making and planning action

    In this activity, we'll look at some examples of how citizen science has impacted policy and social change.

  • Course summary

    In this activity, we'll summarise the course and give you some tips for action going forward. Well done!

Who will you learn with?