About Citizen Science

Citizen science is community participation and engagement done in collaboration with scientists to increase scientific knowledge. Through citizen science, the community shares and contributes data by monitoring and collecting information, uploading photos, sharing stories and observations, and utilizing smartphone applications. Usually, citizen science activities are done purely on a voluntary basis. Citizen scientists vary in expertise, from kids doing projects in their backyard to amateur astronomers with equipment and sets for observing celestial bodies.

Citizen science is a relatively new term that was coined in the late 20th century. However, people have been participating in citizen science projects for over a hundred years, which contributed to a lot of scientific research. It is believed that the earliest form of citizen science was brought about by the birdwatching community. This community was able to collect information regarding migratory bird patterns and population figures.

In one of the oldest examples of citizen science, the Christmas Bird Count sponsored by the National Audobon Society in North America, about 2,000 birdwatchers collected bird observations from December 14 to January 5 across the United States and Canada. They have been able to collect information about local bird populations since 1900.