[CESElist] Fall AGU session on citizen science

[Sandra Henderson]

Hello Colleagues,

I'd like to take this opportunity to inform you of a special session
at the AGU Fall Meeting on Citizen Science in the Geosciences. Please visit

http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm07/?content=search&show=detail&sessid=348

for more details.


The deadline for abstract submittal is September 6, 2007.

Session Title: Citizen Science in the Geosciences: Engaging the Public 
in Research

Session Description:

This session will focus on best practices and lessons learned from 
successful citizen science and public engagement events that promote 
greater understanding of geoscience content and protocols.

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of programs and projects 
designed to connect researchers with interested members of the public 
who collect data following defined research protocols.  Although not 
new, citizen science efforts are rapidly evolving.  The Internet has 
made participation in citizen science efforts accessible to a 
wide-spread audience of interested lay persons.  As a result, tens of 
thousands of citizen scientists have contributed to a variety of 
research projects in the geosciences in recent years.

As citizen science efforts expand and evolve, we need to learn more 
about how to design, implement, and evaluate such programs on the local, 
regional, national, and international level.  We need a better 
understanding of how to successfully address the challenges of language 
and culture in citizen science events that are international in scope. 
Submissions that address citizen science planning, marketing, 
recruiting, web site design, data entry, data quality control, 
coordination and management, communication between participants and 
researchers, project evaluation, and final reporting back to 
participants are encouraged.  Papers are encouraged that represent the 
diversity of participants found in citizen science efforts including 
K-12 school groups, informal science centers, communities, universities, 
and laboratories.   More than simply reporting about individual citizen 
science projects and programs, this session will highlight 
research-based lessons learned including successful strategies 
associated with the development of scientifically valid protocols used 
by citizen scientists locally, regionally, and internationally.

Conveners:

Sandra Henderson
UCAR Office of Education and Outreach
PO Box 3000
Boulder, CO 80307
303 497 8108  voice
303 497 2598  fax


Roberta Johnson
UCAR Office of Education and Outreach
PO Box 3000
Boulder, CO 80307
303 497 2591  voice
303 497 2598  fax


-- 
Sandra Henderson, Ph.D.
Office of Education and Outreach
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
PO Box 3000
Boulder, CO 80307
303 497 8108 voice
303 497 2598 fax