Citizen science (noun): science done by ordinary people, often for or with the help of scientists (Cambridge English Dictionary)
As a Natural Sciences student at Governor’s School last summer, I learned about citizen science every day. We participated in two citizen science projects (one was a bird-watching/ant-counting biodiversity project, and the other analyzed the effects different soils have on microbe growth). Before attending Governor’s School, I was completely unaware that citizen science existed, and I am so glad that my eyes have been opened to it since. Scientists are constantly fighting battles. Whether it be periods of stagnation where breakthroughs are rare to nonexistent or it is low funding, scientists can really be put through the wringer. For instance, my brother, a nanotechnologist, was on back pay for several months because his lab ran out of funds! So, what can the ordinary citizen do to support these poor, disadvantaged lab rats (I can call them that because I consider myself a scientist!)? Citizen science! Citizen science is fun, and it can take many forms. Sometimes you might be compensated a small sum (such as $10) for taking a survey or participating in an experiment, but most of the time it is free. You can participate in hands-on projects at home, or you can participate in online projects (which range from simple surveys to identification of animals from wildlife trail camera footage). Use this website to browse for a project that interests you; you can narrow your search results to one of five topics (“mind,” “health,” “sustainability,” “tech,” and “the sciences”). I challenge you to complete at least one! The fact that anyone can participate in citizen science is what makes it so great; regardless of whether or not you consider your profession a “sciencey” endeavor, you can still engage in scientific pursuits and enjoy the beauty of learning more about the world in which we live. Happy learning!
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The best day of my life so far was hiking up a random mountain in Ireland simply because it was there. I felt as if I were surrounded by magic, and in a sense, I was. Blazing my own trail up the mountainside, I was surrounded by so much positive energy. Mother Earth is a beautiful being, and experiences like this one inspire me to dedicate my life to preserving her purity and loveliness. Compared to holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, the Fourth of July, and even our own birthdays, Earth Day receives sadly little attention from the public. While most people stress about buying last-minute gifts on Mother’s Day, many go about their normal lives on Earth Day without the slightest clue that it is a holiday at all. I have been guilty of this myself. My elementary school, Brunson, always provided us with Earth Day activities, from sidewalk chalk drawing Earth to an outside game of kickball to instructional activities relating to our environment. However, once I graduated to the big world of middle school, it seemed that homework and projects took obvious priority over Earth Day. High school was no different. I imagine that most workplaces are like my middle school and high school, where Earth Day (and the environment in general) is ignored for seemingly more pressing, more intellectual, and more important issues.
There are few issues as pressing, as intellectually stimulating, or as important as the environment. So, why is the celebration of Earth Day largely confined to elementary school children? Do environmental issues lose relevancy once we reach age 12? Far from it. Nonetheless, the refusal of middle schools and high schools to make time for environmental education, and even to make time for a simple hour-long Earth Day activity, generates the illusion that environmental health is far less important than learning about William of Orange and how to close-read poetry. Studies show that the average student spends 20-25 hours per year taking standardized tests (not including preparation time), and such tests can cost school districts up to $1000 per student. Let’s put this number into perspective. If we cut both the number of hours spent taking standardized tests and the cost of such testing in half for a school of 1,000 students, we would come up with about 10,000 hours and $500,000 to spare...time and money that could then benefit the environment. Once schools place more importance in environmental education, their students will carry a more holistic attitude into colleges and future careers, meaning that environmental awareness will diffuse into every aspect of society. Supporting both grassroots programs and government departments like the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education is integral to the push for environmental education in schools. Remember that standards of education and environmental sustainability vary across school districts; while I have friends who are currently taking a class in “Alternative Energies” in Winston-Salem in a building that features a set of solar panels (which powers about a class per day), I am unaware of any sustainability-oriented class at my high school in Yadkin County, and we host exactly zero solar panels. I hope that my voice, combined with the voices of others, will soon change some of these facts. Soon, I will return with another post in recognition of Earth Day, where I will suggest activities and events for you to pursue on this very special holiday. Until then, honor thy Mother! It is quite obvious that not all plants taste the same, but did you know that not all plants grow the same? Yes, some plants are known for their nitrogen-fixing abilities while others are known for emitting their own natural version of pesticides and fungicides. The production of plants for consumption has carbon footprints and water footprints as well, and these vary between plants. Following are five of the more eco-friendly plants to include in your garden this year:
1. Tomatoes. One of the simplest and most ubiquitous garden staples, they have low carbon footprints. They also have deep roots that absorb moisture from the depths of the soil, so they are relatively water-efficient. Start planting your tomatoes a few weeks after the last frost. You can find more information here. 2. Broccoli. They produce their own natural pesticide and can be grown without additional, synthetic pesticides. These natural pesticides are also believed to help prevent cancer in humans! Broccoli is best grown in the spring and fall at about 60 degree daytime temperatures. Find out more here. 3. Potatoes are water-efficient, only requiring 50 gallons per pound of produce. Like broccoli, potatoes produce natural pesticides and fungicides. If you live in a warm climate, plant your potatoes at the end of the summer or at the end of winter; if you live in a cool climate, plant them towards the end of spring. Read more here. 4. Beans. They are more environmentally sustainable than animal sources of protein, and for every kilogram consumed, only two kilograms of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere (meanwhile, beef scores in at thirteen kilograms and butter at twenty-four). Plant them after the last frost. 5. Don't forget the flowers! While I wouldn't recommend eating them, pot marigolds, black-eyed Susans, and sunflowers are great for the honey bees. They provide broad resting areas for the bees as they feed. You can read about more flowers and plants that sustain mutually beneficial relationships here. |
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