Hi Friends!
We have started a new project over at the Hampton Community Library: Spark Bags.
Each week, we will have an activity prepared to *spark* curiosity. Explore physics, chemistry, art, music, yoga & more, then share what you created on the library Facebook or Instagram. This week we explore the concepts of compare & contrast while engaging in a scientific community & gather data!
Just Imagine...you can help scientists protect endangered animals just by observing & counting! Can you count to 100? 1,000? 1000,000?
Task 1: Go on a nature walk around your home.Count fireflies or ladybugs for 10 minutes each day for 5 days.
Task 2: Ask an adult to help you find a project to try at https://pbskids.org/scigirls/citizen-science.
Some of you might be wondering "what is citizen science?"
I found a great definition at the National Park Service
"Citizen science is the voluntary involvement of the public in scientific research. Citizen scientists can help design experiments, collect data, analyze results, and solve problems. Their work helps professional scientists and resource managers understand parks. Their data help solve real problems and answer real questions. In a nutshell, citizen science is science.
Anyone can be a citizen scientist, regardless of where they’re from. It doesn't matter how old you are or what your background is. All it takes is some time, curiosity, and a sense of wonder."
Sounds awesome, doesn't it!
You can listen to a round-up of amazing accomplishments by citizen scientists on this episode of the TED radio hour.
PBS puts out lots of great information here on the their blog. The post includes bird cams from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology & the Globe at Night Project, featured below:
Bookkitty spent a good bit of time this summer working as a Citizen Scientist through a website called https://www.zooniverse.org/. We found time to help transcribe documents from the Civil War, archive slides from a British botanical society & identify Beluga Whales in underwater camera footage!
Sometimes it really feels good to solve a puzzle or be part of a community. Participating in a citizen science project is a great way to do both.
"THE IDEA OF BEING ABLE TO DO SOMETHING I LOVE AND HELP OTHERS REALIZE THEIR DREAMS, IT’S THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR ME, THE PERFECT DREAM.” Ashanti Johnson
Still not convinced? Maybe Bill Nye can help:
For our friends who are heading back to school this week, we wish you a year full of curiosity & discovery.
Toodleloo, Kangaroos!
p.s. Thanks to citizen scientist kids, the Lost Ladybug Project, that has documentd 38,819 ladybugs counted as of August 2020!
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