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Think Science: 'Citizen Science'

Did you know you can help scientists analyze the nesting habits of penguins by looking at online photos? Or that your computer can help search for intelligent life on other planets? With the help of "Citizen Scientists" just like you, researchers are able to crowd-source data collection. From harnessing the power of interconnected computers to mass bird and butterfly counts, Citizen Scientists work as individuals or in teams to provide researchers with the vast amounts of data needed for today's scientific studies.

Join us for a talk about the ways folks like you and me can help. Panelists include Forrest Mims, who has served as editor of the Citizen Scientist Journal, Jason St. Sauver, interim director and resident "bird nerd" at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, and Carrie Merson, Education Specialist at the San Antonio River Authority.

The free event takes place at noon on Friday, Feburary 20 at the Pearl Studio. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The first 80 people to register will receive a complimentary box lunch provided by Spice of Life Catering.

Think Science: Citizen Science

Friday, Feb. 20, 2015
Pearl Studio
200 East Grayson Street
San Antonio, TX 78215

Panelists:

  • Carrie Merson combines her passions of community education and the environment in her role as Education Specialist at the San Antonio River Authority (SARA). She has kept one foot in ecology research across the U.S. and the other foot in formal education for over a decade. It is not rare to find Carrie leading a nature tour of the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project and in the classroom teaching youth about nonpoint source pollution on the same day. The arrival of a diverse assemblage of wildlife has added an additional layer of success to San Antonio River improvements. Carrie finds citizens want to become actively engaged in the documentation of wildlife on the project and throughout the river’s watershed and are learning how to do so through SARA’s Watershed Wise Warrior volunteer program. The use of volunteer and citizen science programs allow people to connect to the San Antonio River and its ecosystem with renewed interest in persevering and sustaining this unique urban ecosystem.
  • Forrest M. Mims III is the author of more than 50 books and an active amateur scientist. He received a Rolex Award in 1993 for developing a handheld instrument that measures the earth’s ozone layer when pointed at the sun. He has just completed 25 years of atmospheric measurements, and his research findings have been published in leading scientific journals. Discover magazine has named him “one of the 50 best brains in science.” 
  • Originally from South Dakota, Jason “the Birdnerd” St. Sauver is currently the Interim Center Director and Education & Operations Manager at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center in San Antonio.  Jason is an avid & expert birder, and has spent over 10 years education youth about nature, conservation, and science all over the country with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other organizations.  One of Jason’s passions is bringing fun, accessible, and important citizen science projects to parks, nature centers, and backyards all around San Antonio, and connecting people to nature through birds.

Early reservations to "Think Science: Citizen Science" are no longer available.

If you would still like to attend, a limited number of spaces may be available at the event. Box lunches will not be available for walk-up attendees.

“Think Science” is made possible by The University of Texas at San Antonio.