The Field Guide to Citizen Science

December 1, 2019
Science can seem enigmatic and out of reach, yet a surprising diversity of research efforts involve information gathered by the public. Citizen science has been surging in popularity, and science advocate Cavalier and scientists Cooper and Hoffman are experts in matching people with collaborative projects that align with their interests and abilities. By virtue of smartphones and the internet, children, young adults, and adults can readily participate at home, on city streets, and in parks, woods, and beaches in studies about climate, pollinators, pollution, endangered species, water quality, medicine, astronomy, and more. Writing with encouraging clarity, the authors explain how to become a citizen scientist and how scientists provide the instructions and equipment required for collecting authentic data. Specific resources are recommended, most notably the online community SciStarter, founded by Cavalier and supported by the National Science Foundation. Also discussed with enthusiasm are the ways families can participate and the key roles played by schools and libraries, while 50 projects are showcased, covering such intriguing subjects as bats, mushrooms, proteins, and dragonflies, each guaranteed to provide a sense of joy and accomplishment. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)