Summer of Community Science

FAQs

• What is Community Science Research?

  Community Science Research is the opportunity for everyday people to contribute to real research projects that scientists are working on.

  Most projects fall into one of the following categories: 

  Measuring populations

  You need: An app like INaturalist- to capture photos and submit them into a database.

  • This is good for folks who like to go out on walks and spending time outside. Keep your eyes peeled and take quick snapshot photos of what you find. 

  Collecting Samples 

  Begin by signing up for the action project and have materials mailed to you by the researchers. 

  • This is good for folks who want to go out and get their hands dirty! Water and soil samples are the most commonly collected samples. 

  Sorting Data

  Organizing photos or videos into predetermined categories set by the researchers.

  • This is inside work, you can do this on your computer, many people sort photos while watching TV or during the winter when nature is dormant.

• What is TCI’s goal?

  Our goal is to activate youth by getting them to participate in real research projects. Each month, we will request that participants submit screenshots of the data they have collected. In September, TCI will generate a report of how much data all participants contributed as a whole group! Participants will also be added to our TCI Action Map.

• Where can I find community research science projects to join?

  There are several websites for you can use to find a research projects. These websites will lead you to a wide variety or projects you can participate in all over the US and globe 

  • SciStarter (US focused) 
  • iNaturalist (international)
  • Zooniverse (US focused)
  • Smithsonian (US focused)
  • Bird Watching Research (International)

• How much data am I require to collect?

  There is no minimum amount of data that participants need to collect. 

  There are no minimum hours of commitment that participants need to commit to. 

  This activity is designed to so to be able to fit into your summer plans. Have a 2 week long summer trip this summer? That’s okay! Don’t research while you are away! 

• How will I be sharing with TCI how much data I have contributed to the project I choose?

  After picking a project, you will have to sign up in order to submit data. Many (but not all) projects will have a dashboard that keeps track of how many hours or submissions you have contributed to the project. You will take screenshots of that dashboard them and email them to ambassadors@theclimateinitiative.org at the end of each month. Don’t worry! We will send an email reminder at the end of each month!  

• What if I can only do this for one or two months this summer?

  That is okay! Even if you can not commit to all three months of summer, we (and the scientists you’d be helping) would rather you help when you can than not at all! Whether you skip two weeks one month, or you skip an entire month out of the three months, you do this when you can as often as you can and make it fit around your life! 

• I only did a little bit of research this month, should I still submit it?

  Yes! We encourage you to do as much as you can, and sometimes you don’t have the availability to do much. Science needs whatever you CAN offer, and we want to capture it all, even if you weren’t able to do as much as you wanted to.

• How many projects should I sign up for?

  As many as you’d like! Most projects are very easy, there is no minimum or maximum. We have had people work on contributing to multiple projects at the same time through our Climate Action Leadership Program (CALP). These projects are designed to be as easy as possible. And many can be done while walking your dog, in your backyard, or watching TV. 

• Can I switch projects if I do not like the one that I picked?

  Yes! If you work on a research project for a while and then no longer want to work on that project, you are welcome to switch. You contributed and you can still contribute elsewhere! Just make sure to let us know! 

• Can I have friends or family join me even if they aren’t a TCI Ambassador?

  Yes! We encourage folks to sign up to become a TCI Ambassador. Ambassadors receive emails once a month with opportunities to get involved- but this summer- helping advance scientific research comes first! We just want to know how much data you and your friends and/or family gave submitted to scientific projects you signed up for. 

• So what am I doing?

  1. Sign up for the onboarding call time that works for you 
  2. Research what projects you want to join and sign up for them 
  3. Tell TCI what projects you will be committing to by Friday June 5th
  4. Research whenever you can throughout the summer 
  5. Submit the screenshots of your dashboard to TCI at the end of each month 
  6. Every month we will share how much research everyone collectively contributed that month 
  7. In September we will report out how much research everyone collectively contributed over the course of the entire summer!