Selection of existing CS-Toolkits (for self-study)
There are recommended existing tools from tested citizen science toolkits that align with the goals of the Upscale Academy. In order to not reinvent the wheel these tools are going to be presented, recommended and explained in the Upscale Academy’s training modules. These existing resources provide practical guidance on how to overcome common barriers and increase the effectiveness and scalability of citizen science projects.
1.1. Citizen Sensing: A Toolkit (www.making-sense.eu)
Developed by the Making Sense project, this toolkit provides comprehensive resources for participatory environmental monitoring.
Key tools include:
● Community Engagement Frameworks: Guidelines for involving diverse community members in environmental monitoring, fostering inclusivity and sustained participation.
● Co-Creation Methodologies: Strategies to collaboratively design sensing campaigns, enhancing data quality and relevance by integrating local knowledge.
● Data Literacy Workshops: Materials to train citizen scientists in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, addressing skill gaps and promoting data-driven decision-making.
1.2. Federal Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Toolkit (www.citizenscience.gov)
This U.S. government resource outlines five essential steps for developing citizen science projects:
- Project Scoping: Techniques to define research questions and objectives that align with community interests and scientific goals.
- Design and Implementation: Best practices for project planning, including participant recruitment and data management, ensuring scalability and sustainability.
- Community Building: Strategies to foster active and diverse participation, crucial for long-term project success.
- Data Management: Guidelines for ethical data handling, promoting transparency and trust among stakeholders.
- Sustainability Planning: Approaches to maintain project momentum and integrate findings into policy and practice.
1.3. EUTOPIA Citizen Science Starter Kit
Authored by Veeckman et al. (2023), this 112 pages starter kit offers online materials to initiate citizen science projects or to ensure quality in early-stage projects:
● Step-by-Step Guides: Templates and checklists for project design and execution, simplifying complex processes for newcomers.
● Reflective Tools: Resources to assess the suitability of citizen science approaches for specific research goals, ensuring alignment with project objectives.
● Design Considerations: Insights into critical factors for successful citizen science, such as participant motivation and data quality control.
1.4. Citizens’ Observatories Toolbox (COT) (https://co.citi-sense.eu)
The Citizens’ Observatories Toolbox (COT), developed by the CITI-SENSE project, is a suite of tools and methods designed to empower citizens, scientists, and various stakeholders in environmental monitoring and data collection. The primary goal of the COT is to facilitate the creation and operation of Citizens’ Observatories.
The toolbox encompasses several key components:
- Sensors and Sensor Platforms: CITI-SENSE has tested various sensors and sensor platforms for air quality monitoring in nine cities.
- Mobile Applications and Web Portals: These platforms allow users to interact with the collected data, providing accessible interfaces for data visualization and engagement.
- Visualization Widgets: Reusable graphical components have been developed to display real-time data from diverse sources on maps, charts, and plots, enhancing user comprehension and interaction.
- Data Management Systems: The toolbox includes server-side management tools for handling sensor data and survey information, ensuring efficient storage, access, and analysis.
- Methodological Frameworks: The COT provides guidelines on co-design, participation, empowerment, and the development of key performance indicators, supporting the effective implementation and sustainability of Citizens’ Observatories.
Partners
The ScienceUs team is formed by universities from the CIVIS Alliance and the Museum für Naturkunde that brings its expertise and networks generated thanks to its leading role in EU-citizen science and its successor, European Citizen Science.
ScienceUs is led by the Universidad Autonoma De Madrid (Spain). Together with other 6 universities from the CIVIS, (Aix Marseille Université(France), Ethniko Kai Kapodistriako Panepistimio Athinon (Greece), Universitatea Din Bucuresti (Romania), Universite Libre De Bruxelles (Belgium), Universita Degli Studi Di Roma La Sapienza (Italy), and Eberhard Karls Universitaet Tuebingen (Germany)) and the Museum Für Naturkunde (Germany) have joined to work together on the ScienceUs project, offering diverse experiences and know-how, and representing a broad, balanced, and targeted geographical area.
