April is Citizen Science Month

April is Citizen Science Month, a time to celebrate the power of everyday people contributing to real scientific research. Whether you’re observing birds in your backyard, measuring light pollution from your street, or analyzing galaxies on your computer, your participation helps scientists answer big questions about the world—and beyond.

The goal of this years Citizen Science Month is an impact of One Million Acts of Science. An Act of Science is getting involved in any way such as attending an online event, participating in different projects such as games that help with medical research, or submitting photos of plant life to help study biodiversity. One Million Acts of Science aims to develop one million data points which you can get involved in generating by taking part in these projects.

What is Citizen Science?

Citizen science is science for everyone! It includes the involvement of the public in scientific research. It bridges the gap between professional scientists and individuals who want to make a difference. These projects often rely on volunteers to collect data, analyze results, or even help develop new hypotheses.

Why It Matters

Science isn’t limited to the professionals. With the help of citizen scientists, researchers can collect more data over larger areas and longer time periods than would be possible otherwise. This leads to:

• Better environmental monitoring
• Stronger community engagement in science
• Greater awareness of global issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution

How You Can Get Involved

There are hundreds of projects out there, and many can be done from your phone or computer. Here are a few ways you can get involved

Zooniverse – Classify wildlife, explore ancient texts, or help identify exoplanets.
iNaturalist – Snap a photo of a plant or animal and help catalog biodiversity.
Globe at Night – Measure light pollution and contribute to global dark-sky data.
Foldit – Solve protein folding puzzles that can help with disease research.
NASA –Help NASA solve the mysteries of the universe and address problems on Earth by completing one of the 33 different projects they have partnered with

Getting involved doesn’t take a dramatic effort. Small steps can make a difference. You don’t need to dedicate hours a week—just a few minutes can help. Some projects are as simple as counting bees in your garden or recording the first signs of spring. Others might involve more in-depth contributions, like installing sensors or helping organize community events.

The Bigger Picture

Citizen Science Month is more than just a celebration—it’s a movement. It’s a reminder that science is for everyone and that your observations, your curiosity, and your data can help shape a better future.

So this April, consider joining a project, sharing your experience, or even starting your own local initiative. The world needs more scientists—and that includes you.