Want to be involved in real scientific research, but think you need lots of time or training? Think again. Research projects from across the globe are looking for citizen scientists. Are you up to the challenge?
Modern scientific research often asks very big questions that require scientists to sift through tremendous amounts of data. In some cases the analysis can be distributed to members of the public. The advantages of citizen science are many — it can cut time and cost while increasing accuracy by getting multiple people to look at the same piece of data. Human eyes, ears and brains are often better equipped to complete the tasks than computers, and humans are better at recognizing slight anomalies in data. At the same time, the citizen scientist gets a chance to contribute to real research and learn something new.
For a demonstration of the power of public participation, let us look at the online game called Foldit (www.fold.it). This multi-player game requires participants to use puzzle-solving skills to help fold protein molecules. Proteins are building blocks of living things and are essential for many processes in our body such as the transport of oxygen from our lungs to our muscles, and releasing energy from food.
In order to understand how proteins work, scientists need to know their structure. Large numbers of citizen scientist playing the Foldit game have proved to be much faster at predicting protein structure than the most sophisticated computer programs. Recently, Foldit players solved the structure of a viral protein related to the human AIDS virus. Scientists (and computers) have been puzzling over this protein for years — Foldit players solved the problem in just three weeks.
If molecules don’t pique your interest, why not help to explore the ocean depths? NEPTUNE Canada (www.neptunecanada.ca) is group of instruments and cameras on the sea floor off Vancouver Island. All of the data and high-definition video is available live on the Internet and by using their purpose built game DigitalFishers, you can help view and tag video data of underwater features and organisms.
If you want to get involved with a project right out of this world, consider getting involved with MoonZoo (www.moonzoo.org) where you can help to explore the lunar surface.
Opportunities also exist to get involved in real, hands-on research here in our own backyard. The Squamish Environmental Society (www.squamishenvironment.ca) organizes regular bird counts around Squamish. The data collected is sent to Bird Studies Canada and used to monitor bird populations over time and drive conservation initiatives.
The annual Whistler BioBlitz is another outdoor project where scientists and volunteers count as many species as they can over a 24-hour timeframe across a range of ecosystems. The information from the BioBlitz helps to paint a picture of biodiversity in the Whistler area and how it changes from year to year.
Whether you are interested in plants, animals, proteins or stars there is a scientific project needing your help right now. What will you help discover?
