Anyone can participate in science!
Participatory science is a collaboration between scientists and public volunteers to gather new knowledge about the world. Participatory science includes community science, citizen science, community-based monitoring and other types of research that depend on knowledge, insights or observations from the public.
Participatory science can transform communities, advance research and help people across the globe. For example, over the last 10 years, 31,000 volunteers have classified 350,000 images of space! You don't have to be an expert to get involved in a project. With a wide variety of topics to choose from, there’s something for all ages. You can also join in as frequently as you're able.
How can I get involved?
Ghost traps? They are not Halloween props, but underwater hazards impacting creatures in the Chesapeake Bay. “Ghost trap” or “ghost pot” are nicknames given to blue crab traps that get lost or left in the Bay and tributary waters. They continue to trap and kill not only blue crabs, but also other types of marine life including fish and diamondback terrapins. It’s estimated these abandoned traps captured and killed more than 3 million blue crabs per year. Finding and removing these traps is beneficial to both wildlife and commercial fishers.
Enter the Crab Trap App! In 2019, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) held a competition for high school students to develop a tool to help scientists and community volunteers document where ghost pots have been found and removed from the water or coastline. Students at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School in Richmond (located near the Science Museum), and Walsingham Academy in Williamsburg were the winners, developing the Crab Trap App.
In partnership with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginian fishers and participatory scientists, VIMS’ efforts have removed more than 43,000 of these ghost traps! This success has led to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration creating a nationwide program led by VIMS, called the Nationwide Fishing TRAP Program, which will help protect crabs and lobsters nationwide. This program will also create a policy innovation lab to inform ghost trap prevention and mitigation policies at the state and federal levels.
If you’d like to help remove derelict crab traps during the off-season, sign up to participate in an online training course and spend some time on the water from January until March!
Ongoing Participatory Science Opportunities
There’s no shortage of discoveries left to be made. Visit scistarter.org, zooniverse.org and citizenscience.gov to check out dozens of other participatory science opportunities. There’s something for everyone!
Participatory Science at the Science Museum
The Science Museum’s 2017 project Throwing Shade mobilized volunteers and partners from around Richmond to evaluate urban heat vulnerability. Data collected helped show that temperatures in the city during a heat wave can vary as much as 16 °F from the coolest to the warmest places.
From 2019 through 2023, volunteers helped the Science Museum collect data about hyperlocal air quality as part of RVAir. Funded in part by the Institute of the Museum and Library Services, RVAir worked with community collaborators to help measure particulate matter in Richmond neighborhoods.
Using portable AirBeam devices, community members collected air quality data on over 600 walks throughout the Richmond area. Additionally, over 35 permanent Purple Air sensors were installed across the city and are continuing to collect air quality in real time.