Citizen Science
Citizen science involves volunteers in collecting scientific data, such as counting birds or recording rainfall.
▶ Interact
Play with the controls to see the idea in action.
📘 Learn
Citizen science involves volunteers in collecting scientific data, such as counting birds or recording rainfall.
- Anyone can take part
- Large amounts of data are collected
- Helps track changes over time
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Citizen Science?
Within Earth & Environmental Science, which covers our planet, its resources and ecosystems, and how people can protect the environment, this topic explains Citizen Science. Earth and environment topics show how the planet’s systems shape landscapes, climate and life, with models that make these processes visible.
Check that you can explain Citizen Science in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Citizen Science helps you explain the environment around you and weigh up how people can protect it.
Citizen Science in detail
Citizen science involves members of the public in scientific research, collecting or analysing data. Examples include bird counts such as the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, recording wildlife with apps like iNaturalist, monitoring water quality, measuring rainfall, classifying galaxies in Zooniverse and reporting litter.
It lets scientists gather large amounts of data over wide areas, and gives people a chance to learn and contribute to real research and conservation. Quality is maintained by training, clear instructions, checking and statistical methods. It builds awareness of the environment and supports evidence-based decisions.
How the interactive helps you understand Citizen Science
Watch the network in the interactive. Use any sliders or buttons it offers to change the values and see how the network responds.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Citizen Science.
Real-life uses and examples
- Discuss how human activity changes Citizen Science, using a named example.
- Explain how Citizen Science affects the landscape or climate near you.
- Link Citizen Science to a real environmental problem and a possible solution.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Presenting one cause as the only cause of an environmental change.
- Describing a process without the timescale it works over.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Citizen Science
What is Citizen Science?
Citizen science involves volunteers in collecting scientific data, such as counting birds or recording rainfall.
What are the most important points about Citizen Science?
The main points are: Anyone can take part; Large amounts of data are collected; Helps track changes over time.
Why is Citizen Science useful?
Understanding Citizen Science helps you explain the environment around you and weigh up how people can protect it.
How can I practise Citizen Science?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Citizen Science?
Related topics in Earth & Environmental Science include Everyday Actions for the Planet, The Future of the Planet, Caves and Karst Landscapes.