We are big fans of citizen science! Of course, science is always cool, and STEM/STEAM projects are an increasing part of everyone’s work and school experiences. So understanding how science works is not just fun, but a good way to understand what is going on in the world around us all.
So we are sharing some neat science you can do, contributing toward large projects, and learning new things. Maybe you can use this today; maybe you will save it for later. As long as you enjoy some exploration and learning new things – citizen science is for you! And it is definitely something you can use to bring some good programming to your library.
Check out this project from SciStarter:
| Goal | Help planetary scientists identify and measure features on the surface of Mars |
|---|---|
| Task | Find and mark “fans” and “blotches” on the Martian surface |
| Where | Online |
| Description | Planet Four is a citizen science project in which volunteers help planetary scientists identify and measure features on the surface of Mars. Scientists need your help to find and mark ‘fans’ and ‘blotches’ on the Martian surface, features that indicate wind direction and speed. By tracking these features, you can help planetary scientists better understand Mars’ climate. All of the images you’ll see depict the southern polar region, a little known area of Mars. The majority of these images have never been seen by humans until now. This is your chance to explore the surface of Mars like never before! |
| How to get started | Register a Zooniverse account and get to work! |
| Social Media | Follow the Planet Four |
| Total expense | 0.00 |
| Ideal Age Group | Middle school (11 – 13 years), Graduate students, Adults, College, High school (14 – 17 years), |
| Spend the time | Indoors |
| Ideal Frequency | Unspecified |
| Average Time | |
| Topics | Astronomy & Space, |
| Media Mentions & Publications | Final Four citizen science projects! |
| Tags | astronomy & space, mars, nasa, space, |
| Sustainable Development Goals | Relevant Sustainable Development Goals, identified by  ?:Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure |
| Website | Planet Four |
And if you want to bring in a few of these ideas to your library, it is useful to have a variety of different program strategies to help share this project. We have a few suggestions to help you get started:
- Find books about Mars – nonfiction or science fiction, and enjoy reading a new story
- Track wind speed in your area for 30 days on a chart
- Celebrate the red color of the Martian soil by baking a red velvet cake, or by making a pasta with red sauce
- Draw pictures of Mars, and any potential life forms you might imagine live there