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October 24, 2025

Science Across Generations:

Engaging All Ages Through Citizen Science at the Library

We’re using Menti!

Use the QR code to join and say hello.

With

&

Presenters:

Emma Giles – Director of Programs, SciStarter

Deron Ash – Assistant Director for Programs, SFIS

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Agenda

What is Citizen Science?
Libraries as Community Hubs for Citizen Science
Programming for All Ages
Looking Ahead to 2026: America 250 & 2.50 Million Acts of Science!

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How familiar are you with

Citizen Science?

Raise Your hand:

5: Expert 3: Practiced 1: Beginner

Closed fist: I don’t know what is happening right now…

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Citizen Science is Serious Science

A global movement that enables people from all walks of life to contribute to real scientific research in collaboration with scientists.

Anytime, from anywhere.

Participatory Research, Community Science, Neighborhood Science, Civic Science, Crowdsourcing

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Acts of science can involve…

Biodiversity, Night Sky

Observing

Wildlife, Pollinator Activity, Bird Migration

Monitoring

Water Quality, Light Pollution, Marine Debris

Measuring

Videos and Images online

Analyzing

Photos and Samples

Collecting

Citizen Science can involve….

At your library, in a garden, at night, from home, during a walk, on a computer, independently, as a group…

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How can Citizen Science enrich your current STEM programming?

With citizen science, participants AND scientists learn.

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Because of citizen scientists …

Sky brightness doubles every 8 years, which is nearly 10% every year (Globe at Night, 2011-2022)

Science For All Ages – What we’ve learned

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Because of citizen scientists …

Sky brightness doubles every 8 years, which is nearly 10% every year (Globe at Night, 2011-2022)
Hundreds of exoplanets have been discovered, including “Percival,” an exoplanet in a habitable zone (Planet Hunters TESS, 2024)

Science For All Ages – What we’ve learned

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Because of citizen scientists …

Sky brightness doubles every 8 years, which is nearly 10% every year (Globe at Night, 2011-2022)
Hundreds of exoplanets have been discovered, including “Percival,” an exoplanet in a habitable zone (Planet Hunters TESS, 2024)

126 birds species “lost to science” identified (iNaturalist, eBird, Xeno-canto, 2024)

Science For All Ages – What we’ve learned

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Because of citizen scientists …

Sky brightness doubles every 8 years, which is nearly 10% every year (Globe at Night, 2011-2022)
Hundreds of exoplanets have been discovered, including “Percival,” an exoplanet in a habitable zone (Planet Hunters TESS, 2024)

126 birds species “lost to science” identified (iNaturalist, eBird, Xeno-canto, 2024)
We’ve discovered that some invasive ants spread by hitchhiking (Taiwan, 2024)

Science For All Ages – What we’ve learned

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Because of citizen scientists …

Sky brightness doubles every 8 years, which is nearly 10% every year (Globe at Night, 2011-2022)
Hundreds of exoplanets have been discovered, including “Percival,” an exoplanet in a habitable zone (Planet Hunters TESS, 2024)

126 birds species “lost to science” identified (iNaturalist, eBird, Xeno-canto, 2024)
We’ve discovered that some invasive ants spread by hitchhiking (Taiwan, 2024)
We know the human belly buttons contain 50+ species of bacteria (Belly Button Biodiversity, 2012)

Science For All Ages – What we’ve learned

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Create your free account: SciStarter.org/login

A go-to resource for volunteers, scientists, facilitators (librarians/staff), and researchers.

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Create your free account: SciStarter.org/login

Use SciStarter to:

Find and save projects
Find an event or promote an event
Take free trainings & earn badges
Create lists of projects
Track your participation
Participate in live events

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Programs for Libraries

Create your free SciStarter account, then, join the Citizen and Community Science Library Network to stay up to date on all three programs!

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Are you in the Library Network?

Raise your hand high!

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Citizen & Community Science Library Network

1200 strong…and counting!

Free, online training tutorials for library staff and volunteers.
Guides to plan events and build/circulate citizen science kits.
Virtual professional development events.
Turnkey and customizable resources.
Peer-to-peer network.
Technical, programming and promotional support.

Create your free SciStarter account,

then join the Network!

SciStarter.org/go/library-network

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Barriers to Entry

Libraries address known barriers to engagement in citizen science:

Lack of awareness
Lack of access to tools/ resources
Social isolation

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Librarians report

A “sense of community” around Citizen Science at their libraries
Confidence in their understanding of the “science side” of the Citizen Science kits.

University Office of Evaluation and Educational Effectiveness. Arizona State University. (2019). Libraries as Community Hubs for Citizen Science: Year 2 Summative Evaluation Report.

Participants report…

Improvements in observation and data collection skills through citizen science
A sense of real contribution to issues they care about.
Enjoyment in being referred to as a “citizen scientist.”
A better understanding of the scientific process
Feeling engaged with the outdoors

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Resources for You

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What audiences do you serve?

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Projects by Grade Level

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Year-round resources for libraries

SciStarter.org/Library

From ongoing displays to book lists to short term events to circulating citizen science kits, we’ve got what you need.

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Integration into Libraries

Prescott Valley PL,

Fountain Hills MCLD

Sun City MCLD

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Professional Development

Online, Self-Guided Trainings

Build your confidence and increase engagement and retention via online training, resources and support from SciStarter team members.

SciStarter.org/Training

Start with the Foundations of Citizen Science

Then complete the new training just for Librarians and Staff!

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SciStarter Ambassadors

Search for Ambassadors in your area
Reach out for programming advice and support!

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What are your programming plans for April and spring 2025?

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Citizen Science Month 2026

America Gives

The U.S. will commemorate its 250th anniversary in 2026.

SciStarter is an official partner of America Gives, the largest volunteer effort in US history! To celebrate, our Citizen Science Month goal will be….

Host an event, promote any project!

To ensure your Acts of Science are included for America Gives:

Add your April Events to SciStarter
Report attendance #s and estimated Acts

For now, while citizensciencemonth.org is under construction, you can visit our Library webpage on https://pages.scistarter.org/library-america250/ for more information about the America 250 Partnership.

2026 is a unique year!

SciStarter is an official partner of America Gives, the largest volunteer effort in US history, scheduled alongside America 250 - through SciStarter

Celebrate creativity, innovation, and civic participation.
Look ahead to the future we want to create, for ourselves and the next generation.
Share the full America’s story, before and beyond the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The founding fathers were also citizen scientists! Before science was specialized, we were all citizen scientists! We didn’t have labs, we went out and observed out own environments, learning about constellations,

We can transcribe historical documents from the smithsonian. Explore American Biodiversity, support health and me

Just know - that if you host an event or program during CitSciMonth, we will walk you through the process to ensure it counts. All of that will be counted toward America Gives.

We have the resources for you - for every step of the way : connecting with your community, planning an event practicing now.

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Citizen Science Month 2026

America Gives

The U.S. will commemorate its 250th anniversary in 2026.

SciStarter is an official partner of America Gives, the largest volunteer effort in US history! To celebrate, our Citizen Science Month goal will be….

2.50 Million

Acts of Science in April!

Let’s make history, one Act of Science at a time!

CitizenScienceMonth.org

Host an event, promote any project!

To ensure your Acts of Science are included for America Gives:

Add your April Events to SciStarter
Report attendance #s and estimated Acts

For now, while citizensciencemonth.org is under construction, you can visit our Library webpage on https://pages.scistarter.org/library-america250/ for more information about the America 250 Partnership.

2026 is a unique year!

SciStarter is an official partner of America Gives, the largest volunteer effort in US history, scheduled alongside America 250 - through SciStarter

Celebrate creativity, innovation, and civic participation.
Look ahead to the future we want to create, for ourselves and the next generation.
Share the full America’s story, before and beyond the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The founding fathers were also citizen scientists! Before science was specialized, we were all citizen scientists! We didn’t have labs, we went out and observed out own environments, learning about constellations,

We can transcribe historical documents from the smithsonian. Explore American Biodiversity, support health and me

Just know - that if you host an event or program during CitSciMonth, we will walk you through the process to ensure it counts. All of that will be counted toward America Gives.

We have the resources for you - for every step of the way : connecting with your community, planning an event practicing now.

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CitSciMonth Event Planning

Join nationwide “Connected” events hosted by SciStarter.

Build your own event using SciStarter resources.

OR

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Acts of Science: Connected

Many Places. One Purpose. Acts that advance science.

Livestream 2-hour zoom event(s) at your library:

Meet the project scientist
Learn about the project and how to participate
Attendees will walk away with resources to continue

This is a gateway to more citizen science and STEM engagement.
Passive Program options will be available

This year, we are also featuring a set of nationwide Connected events that SciStarter is hosting on Zoom. We are seeking 250 libraries to join us as satellite hosts. These are easy turnkey events that your library can tap into! You don’t need to be an expert on the project!

Emma

There is an on ramp for all types of participants. You can jump right in, whether you are brand new or a frequent participant/facilitator of cit sci

Barriers

Lack of awareness
Social gathering, combatting the social isolation
Confidence building, sustained engagement resources

One major event will focus on a health project(!!). Libraries will provide the space, invite guests, add their creative flair (such as potluck meals and wearing themed hats), and offer technical capabilities to Zoom into the main event while maintaining a camera focused on their classroom/computer lab, or other designated area. We'll have clear instructions and links to best practices available for participating libraries.

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Acts of Science: Connected

Weekly Events!

Host one or more!

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Acts of Science: Connected

SciStarter does the heavy lifting!

All you need to do is apply to host a satellite event, invite your community, prepare WiFi and devices, add your own creative flare!

Benefits to Facilitators

Connect your community directly with working scientists.
Offer hands-on, impactful science experiences for all audiences.
Accelerate scientific research + advancing local STEM learning.

Step 1: Apply https://scistarter.org/library-acts-of-science-connected-apply

Step 1: Apply

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Next Library Network Webinar

Date: November 18, 2025

Time: 11AM PT/ 2PM ET

Register:

SciStarter.org/acts-of-science-connected-info-session

Info Session/Workshop

CONNECTED

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Questions?