SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ – The Sussex County Library System (SCLS) invites the community to celebrate Citizen Science Month this April with special events throughout the month. Ever wanted to be a part of real scientific research? Now is your chance!
The Citizen Scientist program offers a fantastic way for people of all ages to engage with the world around them while assisting professional researchers in gathering valuable data. Whether you’re passionate about birds, the night sky, climate change, or local wildlife, there are numerous ways to get involved—no special training required!
Deborah Fagnan, Youth Services Coordinator at SCLS, has recently become a Citizen Science Ambassador for SciStarter, a global hub that connects people with real-world scientific projects. She’s excited to introduce families to the movement and demonstrate how easy (and fun!) it is to contribute to real science.
“Curious about the world around you? Want to contribute to real scientific research? Come to the library!” said Fagnan. “You don’t need any special background in science, and citizen scientists of all ages are welcome.”
Learn how to become a Citizen Scientist:
- 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 5 at Louise Childs Branch, 21 Stanhope Sparta Rd, Stanhope
- 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 5 at Sussex-Wantage Branch, 69 Route 639, Wantage
- 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 19 at Dennis Branch, 101 Main Street, Newton
These drop-in sessions will include information on The Great Sunflower Project and free sunflower seeds (while supplies last). - 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 21 at Main Library, 125 Morris Turnpike, Frankford
Learn how to help classify beluga whale photographs for an ongoing research project. Registration for this event begins April 7.
All events are free and open to the public, and all materials will be provided. To learn more, visit the library’s online calendar or check out your local library branch. For more information about SCLS programs and events, visit Sussexcountylibrary.org or call 973-948-3660.
SciStarter is a globally recognized, online citizen science hub, hosting more than 3,000 projects that can be searched by location, topic, and age level. These projects are registered by individual project leaders or imported through partnerships with organizations like NASA, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
As a research affiliate of North Carolina State University (NCSU) and Arizona State University (ASU), SciStarter hosts an active community of nearly 100,000 registered citizen scientists, along with millions of additional site visitors.
