Hoorah! The new version of FieldScope has launched! Mobile-friendly, enhanced tools and visualizations for participants in #CitizenScience projects. Thank you @azavea and the many projects that have informed our design @zoos_aquariums @PBudBurst @Inquirium @GLOBEatNight

It was great to hear from all the panelists on this #citscichat !! I look forward to more! Thank you for the thoughtful Qs.

A11. Oh my!! Hopefully it looks like people of all ages being scientifically literate and engaged en masse in the observation and stewardship of our planet and all its inhabitants. Utopic, I know :-) I think sensor and AI tech will be fabulous, too. And VR/AR! :-) #citscichat

A10. People engage people! Having the right “teacher” as a #citsci program lead, teacher, parent etc. Also the design of the tools and platforms matters. Use good interface and tool #design to keep hooking someone’s curiosity and their desire to contribute and learn more.

A9(b). Our tools provide projects with a tool set to allow project leads and participants to visualize and analyze data in interesting ways. The tools help those involved make meaning of the data.

A9. #visual - think easy to read and access maps and graphs. Translating results into other forms, like artistic representations and video stories. Translating the science and findings into compelling narratives. Sharing back with the community as often as possible.

A8. If it’s a global phenomenon, I think it makes sense to go big! In a global community like @inaturalist you can carve out your own local projects. With our platform, we have examples of projects that are global and local and everything in between!

A7. Absolutely I do! Our tools are becoming better (digital platforms like ours, sensors technologies, AI, etc) and as a field we are learning more about how to best support participants in producing quality data. I think it’s only going up from here. It’s exciting!

A6 - Fun! A #citizenscience project needs to be fun or rewarding - ideally both. How can the whole process or participation be fun. Or if it is something with more of a serious social or environmental justice aim, how can it also be rewarding - seeing the impact of the work, etc.

In this case, their model of supporting chapter out of zoos and nature centers across the country and chapters in turn supporting participants with training and a sense of community has been crucial. #frogwatch #amphibians

Q5 - #frogwatch from AZA @zoos_aquariums has trained thousands of participants to connect with local wetlands to report on frog and toad calls. Their goal was to get a baseline of amphibians and to track population trends. Over 130,000 frog and toad calls have been recorded!

@SciStarter has great tools for this!!

Q4b - Ideally all projects would have a communication and outreach strategies and goals aimed at broadening participation. There is such an opportunity to go beyond the typical audiences to bring more people into science.

Q4 - Again, meeting people where they are at. I think you need to be intentional about which new audiences you want to connect with and then really consider what meeting them where they are at looks like.

And now more than ever community building in digital spaces can fill real social-emotional needs we have as humans. Go #citizenscience !

There is a world of life ALL around us. Good idea with @inaturalist

Ohh, yes! Definitely this. Support curiosity at home AND at school. And everywhere!

Q3 - Meet them where they are at and demonstrate the need - why do you need this data? How is it important to you and why should they care? I think people are often willing to help but you need to make a clear ask of them.

We are building more tools over time to help with this, since our platform powers citizen science project communities.

Making sure you have a good plan for engaging with participants. Know how you will communicate and show contributors that they are valued. And of course a good study design that will get you the data you want AND that volunteers can be successful with.