Breaking research news, event highlights, and more from the Citizen Science 2017 Conference

Attendees are encouraged to send announcements to info@citizenscience.org. Additional materials also available here.

MEDIA RELEASES:

Citizen Science Association Conference Expands the Movement that Draws Everyday People into Legitimate Research
St. Paul, MN – (May 10, 2017) – Scientists, community members, and educators from around the world will gather at the Citizen Science Association (CSA) “CitSci2017” Conference to share innovations and best practices for significant research collaborations between scientists and everyday citizens. Read more…
(Released through EurekAlert via University of Minnesota)
CitSci2017: Science Connected on STEM Education and Journalism
(May 15, 2017) – Science news is all too often sensationalized and reduced to soundbites, which does a disservice to scientists and to everyone who reads the news. However, sharing science with the public can be intrinsically rewarding for scientists and of tremendous societal value. Scientific literacy enables participation in a modern, high-tech society where decisions are made daily about issues like pollution and climate change, health care, education. It can give everyone the option of pursuing a STEM career. Science Connected, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is attending the Citizen Science Association conference to promote the importance of responsible science journalism and to collaborate with attendees who wish to share their work… Read more here
Finding Big Fish Online: How Artificial Intelligence Is Turning Vacation Videos Into Shark SciencePortland, Oregon, USA – (May 18, 2017) – Since 2003, a global community of shark researchers and divers has united in studying the world’s biggest fish: the endangered whale shark ( Rhincodon typus ). Their global research platform — Wildbook for Whale Sharks ( https://www.whaleshark.org ) — has combined over 120 researchers and volunteers with 5000+ citizen scientists into a global community focused on studying the population size… Read more here.

NOTABLE PRESENTERS AND EVENTS:

KEYNOTE (18 May): Dr. Marc Edwards, professor of environmental and water resources engineering at Virginia Tech, was instrumental in demonstrating that Flint, MI dangerously contaminated water. He and LeeAnne Walters, a Flint, MI citizen and mother of four, will discuss how they worked together to bring Flint’s water crisis to national, and international, attention. Read more…

KEYNOTE (19 May): Dr. Ellen Jorgensen, co-founder and Executive Director of Genspace, a community biolab, will explore how open spaces for biotechnology research can promote both scientific literacy and new discoveries in molecular and synthetic biology. Read more…

PUBLIC EVENT (19 May): An open-to-all celebration will feature the new PBS series, The Crowd & The Cloud. NASA Chief Scientist, Waleed Abdalati, the Executive Producer, Geoffrey Hanies-Stiles, and project stars will take the stage to share stunning footage and inspirational stories. A festival-style mixer before the screening will highlight over 70 different projects. Read more about the Night in the Cloud…

PUBLIC EVENT (17 May): Technology experts from Esri, UMN, Zooniverse, and the local community will collaboratively create tools and platforms for innovative citizen science engagement. This hackathon-style event opens tech development in virtual reality, data visualization, and more to tap collective expertise. Read more about Create Together Day…

PUBLIC EVENT (17 May): MN Public Radio’s Heather McElhatton will moderate a panel discussion with three authors of new books on citizen science: Mary Ellen Hannibal, Caren Cooper, and Darlene Cavalier. Read more about this Meet the Authors event…

PUBLIC EVENT (20 May): Families and the general public can can engage in fun and practical hands-on activities, such as monitoring monarchs, exploring the impacts of light pollution, mapping precipitation, and recording water quality, at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Read more about the Citizen Science Festival…