Citizen Science: Temperature Blast
The Maryland Science Center and our research partners at the Baltimore Ecosystem Study are proud to join eleven science centers across the nation in the Association of Science-Technology Center’s C3: Communicating Climate Change Citizen Science project.
What is Citizen Science?
Citizen Science is an avenue through which people share their observations about weather, plants, animals, and more to help large-scale scientific research represent what’s happening in backyards and neighborhoods. Anyone, regardless of their background in science or academia, is encouraged to participate in Citizen Science projects and projects exist to measure many natural phenomena, from bird identification to galaxy classification. For more information about Citizen Science and other projects available in your area, www.citizenscience.org
Temperature Blast
Temperature Blast is a Maryland Science Center C3 Citizen Science project designed to introduce participants to methods of studying climate. Citizen Scientists collect live and archived Weatherbug data from select stations in the Baltimore region to compare temperatures and log this data for scientists. Scientists at the Baltimore Ecosystem Study then use this data to test models of temperature patterns across the city to aid in urban planning. This data illustrates the Urban Heat Island effect on the area, a phenomenon classified by temperature differences between a metropolitan area and more rural landscape nearby. An Urban Heat Island is not an effect of climate change, but rather of our activity shaping the environment around us. Citizen Scientists are asked to consider the question; if we can make changes on a local scale, how may be contributing to changes globally?
Anyone can be a Scientist!
A Smartphone application and website are now available for Citizen Science participation. Download ‘Temperature Blast’ from the iPhone or Android market, or visit www.temperatureblast.org to become a Citizen Scientist! Participation in the program is free and open to scientists of all ages and locations.
More Information
If you would like to receive more information about Temperature Blast or other C3 activities, please sign up to receive our informative emails by clicking here, and edit your email preferences to include Citizen Science.