Earth Day at 50 Teach-Out

Data in the Context of a Changing Climate / Lesson 6 of 6

The Role of Citizen Science in Sustainability

4 minutes

Dick Chase, a volunteer with the Huron River Watershed Council in Ann Arbor, Michigan, talks about the role of citizen science in defining the future of sustainability.

What is Citizen Science?

According to CitizenScience.gov: “In citizen science, the public participates voluntarily in the scientific process, addressing real-world problems in ways that may include formulating research questions, conducting scientific experiments, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, making new discoveries, developing technologies and applications, and solving complex problems.”

After learning from Dick’s experiences with the Huron River Watershed Council, please review the list of citizen science resources below (or search for your own!) and respond to the following questions: How have you engaged in citizen science in the past? What role can you imagine citizen science playing in developing the future of sustainability?