Today, for people living in the Northern Hemisphere (most of you), the Sun will reach its highest point in the sky…until the next June 21st cycles around. Science blogger, Ethan Siegel, tells us how we can measure the tilt of the Earth today. Check it out!

Studying gravestones to track changes in Earth’s chemistry. Call for volunteers! EarthTrek presents a global Gravestone Project.

This project aims to map the location of a graveyards around the globe and then use marble gravestones in those graveyards to measure the weathering rate of marble at that location.The weathering rates of gravestones are an indication of changes in the acidity of rainfall between locations and over time. The acidity is affected by air pollution and other factors, and could be used as a measure of changes in climate and pollution levels.

While we most commonly associate Google with its ability to search the Intertubes for our favorite science FAILs, the tech giant is also opening new doors for citizen science. A recent article in the Public Library of Science (PloS) ONE highlights a new mobile phone application, powered by Google Maps and Google’s Android operating system, that allows professional and citizen scientists to gather, submit, and access research data from the field.

The application, called EpiCollect, was initially designed for epedimiological and ecological studies but has potential for a number of other fields, including economics, public health, and resource allocation. Individual users can input data records (variables, photos, GPS location, etc) into EpiCollect from their mobile phone, which is synchronized to a central database. An accompanying web application, located at www.spatialepidemiology.net, provides a common location for mapping, visualization, and analysis of the data by everyone involved in the study. The two-way connectivity between the EpiCollect mobile application and the central database could increase the collection and collation of data for community projects, particular in resource-limited areas.

Importantly, EpiCollect was developed as a free software using Google’s open-source Android operating system. Anyone interested in using the software is encouraged to contact David Aanensen in the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London.  The EpiCollect website also provides three sample epidemological datasets and a facility to geocode your own spatial data.

A first-person account of a citizen science project, from our very own, Georgette.

Last weekend, I gave my first go at searching for ladybugs to photograph for the Lost Ladybug Project. The project looks for local evidence of a few native species of ladybugs that have become quite rare in recent years, being quickly replaced by more exotic species. Ladybugs are important and beneficial predators; they eat harmful insects like aphids that damage plants. This project aims to collect photographs and raise awareness for the many important questions this change poses for agriculture like, Will these new exotic species be less able to protect farms from harmful insects?

The site provides tons of useful and interesting information, from how to make your own sweep net, to illustrated ladybug identification pictures, to bookmarks, pamphlets and even a coloring book page for kids to join in on the fun!

I set out on my expedition on Saturday, heading for the BioPond at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Ripe with beautiful greenery and wildlife, I figured this was a sure spot for finding some spotted friends. With sweep net and bug box in hand I searched the area, but was unsuccessful. My lack of success continued for the next two days. Despite having certainly seen ladybugs in Philadelphia, finding them out in the wild seemed to be quite a challenge. Perhaps they really are disappearing?!

My search will certainly continue. I’ve planted some cilantro and fennel in my own garden to attract the lovely critters (ladybugs are particularly fond of those herbs). In any case, I had fun and learned a lot about  ladybugs in the process. If you happen to come across a ladybug, scoop it up and snap some pictures to send in to the Lost Ladybug Project. Send us (Science Cheerleader) your thoughts on the experience as well. And I’ll leave you with this lovely ladybug tune.

PROJECT SNAPSHOT:

Topics: ladybugs, nature, outdoors

Location: anywhere

Duration: any

Cost: free

Gear: sweep net (wire hanger, pillowcase, duct tape), camera

Level of Difficulty: easy

A citizen science alert from Georgette.

If you’re near Durham, NC this weekend (July 19), join the Plant Stalkers training session and help track and monitor invasive species of plants near the Eno River.  Invasive plants range from those that do not provide adequate shelter or food for local animals to those that actually harm native plants. Watch the Plant Stalkers in action then join in on the hunt! Look for Japanese Stiltgrass, Privet trees, English Ivy, Chinese Lespedeza and other invasive species and then mark the location with a GPS device. They’ll provide instruction in finding the plants, using GPS and submitting your data through Google Earth…and even certify you to contribute to the project on your own!

Project Snapshot:

Topics: citizen science, plants, nature

Location: involves a trip

Duration: several hours

Cost: free or low cost

Gear: GPS device (you can also borrow one of theirs), computer

Level of Difficulty: easy

Here’s a citizen science report from Dr. John Ohab!

Let’s talk about things that frighten me and start with the mysterious creatures of the deep. I mean, really — surviving under extreme pressures and temperatures, often without sunlight, in a hostile ocean environment where you might very well be someone else’s dinner? We’ve all seen Pirates of the Caribbean. Creepy.

Still, someone needs to ensure that the marine environment is protected from various human pressures like pollution and over-fishing. That person is just not me.

That’s why I’m asking YOU to go down there on my behalf as part of Earth Dive, a global citizen science project that calls on recreational scuba divers and snorkelers to monitor the ocean for key indicator species.

When you participate in Earth Dive, your observations are recorded in a special database, called the Global Dive Log, and accessible through a clever Google mapping interface. Over time, observations are aggregated to create a Global Snapshot of the state of the world’s oceans. You can also use the satellite map feature to look for your house, which is totally cool. Importantly, everyone who contributes data is automatically added to a petition demanding that policymakers take action.

Earth Dive is what I like to call a win-win-win situation. I don’t have to be in the ocean; your hobby provides a sense of personal enrichment; and we all work together to monitor and conserve marine life on this planet.

• Topics: ocean, diving, science policy, citizen science
• Location: involves a trip
• Duration: several hours
• Cost: fee or cost
• Gear: scuba gear, snorkel, swimsuit, computer
• Level of Difficulty: difficult

Cornell Lab of Ornithology presents this year’s contest in Celebrating Urban Birds, Funky Nests in Funky Places! Do some bird-watching and get creative with a photo, painting, quilt, sculpture, story…or any other medium that inspires you. And if the thought of getting outside and getting those creative juices flowing wasn’t enough, they’re giving away some great prizes like a digital camera, signed birding books, and HUMM hummingbird feeder!

PROJECT SNAPSHOT:

Topics: bird-watching

Location: anywhere

Duration: until July 31st, 2009

Cost: free

Gear: whatever you choose!

Level of Difficulty: easy

Here’s Dr. John Ohab, reporting for Science Cheerleader.com as part of an original series of first-person citizen science reports!

Trees are good. They provide shade, recycled paper, wood, and probably other things. In fact, trees are the only living organisms on earth that cannot possibly do anything bad. In Medieval times, trees could talk, walk, and transport miniature people to different places. However, global warming, industrialization, and other human factors have contributed to a more vulnerable and quite stationary tree population.

Enter Casey Trees, a DC-based non-profit organization dedicated to restoring, enhancing, and protecting the tree canopy of our Nation’s Capital. Casey Trees leverages community volunteers known as “Citizen Foresters”, who employ basic forestry skills, lead teams of volunteers during weekend events, and advocate for a green, sustainable city.

Last weekend, I took part in a Casey Trees tree and shrub inventory. I talked with Casey Trees employees and Citizen Foresters and learned what motivated citizens are doing to improve our environment. Check out the above Science Cheerleader report!

Casey Trees offers many opportunities for citizen scientists interested in the environment, including their Trees 101 course, design and planting workshops, and urban forestry inventory training. For more information, visit the Casey Trees website.

PROJECT SNAPSHOT:

• Topics: Environment, Nature and Outdoors
  
• Location: close to home
• Duration: several hours per event
• Cost: free
• Gear: provided on site
• Level of Difficulty: easy – moderate

Though it is not something that we think about every day, pollination is an important part of our ecosystem.  Everything from the prescription drugs we take to the food we eat for lunch comes from natural plant products that are pollinated in the wild.  Economists and ecologists working together to assess the financial value of natural ecosystems estimate that pollination of plants in the wild by bees in the United States is worth four to six billion dollars per year!  BILLIONS…and we get it all for free…

…for now, anyway.  Scientists are already aware that populations of bees are dwindling in wild and agricultural landscapes.  Even worse, because natural habitats are uncommon in city dwellings, they may not provide enough resources to support viable communities of pollinators.  Tracking where pollinators thrive can help scientists determine how habitats can be changed to promote bee colonization.

Launched in 2008 by Dr. Gretchen LeBuhn at San Francisco State University, The Great Sunflower Project aims to do just that.  Participants can sign up online to receive Lemon Queen sunflower seeds through the mail, and plant them in their own garden.  Two weekends a month, participants would be required to sit outside in the sunshine and record the number of bees visiting their flowers during 30 minutes.  (Not a bad gig, and a great excuse to enjoy the spring weather.)

Start your garden today!  Seeds (along with a handy welcome kit) will be sent out during the month of March and through the beginning of April.

(Photo, “Carpenter Bee on Sunflower,” was used here with permission by Ginny Stibolt.)

Statistics from 2008: 40,000 sunflowers planted and observed across the United States

PROJECT SNAPSHOT:

> Topics Sunflowers, bees, spring, pollination

> Location Close to home

> Duration 30 minutes, two weekends a month

> Cost Free

> Gear No special equipment required – they will mail you seeds!

> Level of Difficulty Easy

Flower shows around the country are a pleasant reminder that spring is just around the corner!  One of my favorite things about spring is the blooming of the beautiful plants and flowers as the weather begins to warm.  (Even if my seasonal allergies beg to differ.)

This year, instead of just passing by blooming plants on our commute to work, we can take a moment to record our observations and send them to Project Budburst.  Founded in 2007, Project Budburst is a national citizen science campaign designed to collect data about the phenophases (stages of a plant’s life cycle, such as first leaf, first flower, etc.) of trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses in our areas.  By collecting this data each year, Project Budburst will be able to determine how variations in our climate affects plant growth in regions around the country.  This project is funded by a variety of sponsors, including the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Chicago Botanical Garden, and the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana.

Phenology is a visible way of demonstrating the effects of climate change directly to young students,  and many elementary science classrooms around the country are participating in this year’s data collection.  I will be keeping tabs on the phenological observations of my mother’s fifth grade science students in the weeks to come.  When asked why she chose this particular science project for her students to become involved in, my mother replied, “I find my students are more interested in science that they do themselves; getting them out of the textbook is the easiest way to hold their interest.  I think with this particular project, they can involve their parents and siblings in getting excited about the arrival of spring without a big time commitment.  I also liked that once their data was submitted, my students could go back to the website to see their local results for Butler, PA posted on a map of the entire United States.  Seeing that their simple observations of the world around them impacted such a large study is a great reinforcement of what they accomplished as citizen scientists.”

Getting involved is very easy, and requires a minimal amount of effort each day as you observe the plants in your neighborhood…maybe even in your backyard!  To get started, download the starter packet here.

Statistics from 2007 (pilot year): 913 phenological events reported from participants in 26 states; Ohio and Illinois had the highest rate of participation; 2008 data collected all year round, but still being analyzed

PROJECT SNAPSHOT:

> Topics Plants, climate control, phenophases, spring

> Location Close to home

> Duration As little as 10 minutes each day

> Cost Free

> Gear No special equipment required

> Level of Difficulty Easy