Citizen Science Month

Each April, SciStarter's Citizen Science Month celebrates the people, projects, and scientific outcomes made possible through public participation in scientific research. In 2026, SciStarter is working toward a shared goal of 2.50 Million Acts of Science, marking America’s 250th anniversary through collective discovery, service, and impact. Join us at the library this month for Citizen Science programs, and check out a Citizen Science Kit!

Citizen Science: What's the Weather Like on Mars?
Thurs | Apr 2 | 11:00am – 1:00pm | GW
Step into a new kind of space mission by looking at a set of NASA online images for signs of clouds above Mars. Every cloud you spot helps scientists understand daily and seasonal weather patterns. Your questions will be answered in real-time, too! All you need is a computer, iPad, or smartphone with Wi-Fi...and your curiosity!

Citizen Science: Transcription Mission
Fri | Apr 10 | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | MN
Research and transcribe the historical Freedmen's Bureau Papers with others, in real time. Smithsonian experts will kick things off by explaining the research, goals, and historical importance of the Freedmen’s Bureau records. You’ll receive step-by-step instructions, then be guided to an easy-to-use website to transcribe handwritten documents into searchable text. Your work will help preserve and unlock records documenting the lives of formerly enslaved individuals during Reconstruction. Please bring your smart phone, laptop, or tablet. A limited number of laptops will be provided.

Citizen Science: Game Night for Science
Thurs | Apr 16 | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | MN
Play Stall Catchers, a research-based online game that helps scientists identify blocked blood vessels in the brain. These classifications support ongoing Alzheimer’s disease research.

Citizen Science: Earth Day Animal Spot-A-Thon
Wed | Apr 22 | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | RM
Wed | Apr 22 | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | MN
Wed | Apr 22 | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | GW
Celebrate Earth Day by helping scientists monitor wildlife! You’ll explore trail camera photos and help classify the animals you see. This NASA-supported research project tracks changes in wildlife distributions and abundances over time—critical data that informs wildlife management and conservation decisions.

Citizen Science: Do NASA Science Live
Wed | Apr 29 | 3:00pm – 5:00pm | RM
Do NASA Science LIVE is a fun, hands-on event that invites everyone to help NASA do real science.