008: why i love zooniverse

 being part of a science experiment and helping to collect data is possibly one
of the coolest things i think i've ever been blessed with the opportunity to do and i argue 
that everyone should help both scientists and animals in their spare time.

( 3 minute read).

a piece by india southgate.

i can't remember why i started volunteering on zooniverse, but during this winter i definately survived by classifying many animals (mainly deer). now if i were to persuade you, dear reader, to join me in citizen science, i would probably say that it is worthwhile as you get into a rhythmn once learning the classification process, it is a positive alternative to wasting time, it's exciting and challenging sometimes, you get to see many animals up close and in many scenarios the average person would not see organically, on a hike or in a zoo, and finally it feels like a game but it helps real scientific projects which is the complete opposite of that one simpsons episode where bart contols a drone in iraq because they think hes a sociopath. you can also put your name into your account so that you can get a citation in any academic paper that comes out. i think thats cool.

(listen to my zooniverse playlist while you volunteer!!)

how to use zooniverse:

1. create an account

first, sign up and create an account. this will help you by keeping a log of what you classify. you can favourite certain images, enter forum discussions, create collections and give your name to projects so that you can be credited in papers and posters and research if you'd like. you can also make your profile look really cool, for example on my account, ilovebears101, i have 814 classifications over 12 projects and a mask as my profile picture. you can also attend events with an account!! i believe they are free but also very fun.

2. pick a project

you can pick a project by theme (such as by nature, climate, art, language, literature, physics, social science, medicine, biology, space, and history), by general vibe, by date added, or you can help the project most vulnerable/ most relevant/ most in need of research. as i have been researching for a while, i have explored many projects and have found my favourites. i usually sort by nature as i am most interested in animal classifications but i suggest you find what you are most interested in or feel most called to help. some projects come and go depending on how quickly their dataset gets classified so be aware that your favourites may go as mine often do. my favourite is snapshot wisconsin, but i also like cedar creek, wildcam gorongosa, and southcoast threatened fauna recovery project.

3. learn the classification process

there is often a little tutorial before you start any project that tells you how to classify and it is made easy to remember as they want the most reliable dataset possible. but do not stress if you forget! theres a manual and other tools to remind you in each classification window. sometimes there will be pictures and examples provided, or filters by characteristic, and occasionally the process has multiple steps to cover these points anyway. i find other tools, such as the invert tool, to also be very helpful!

4. get classifying!!

this is the most fun part (to me)!! i like to put on some music and get cracking, looking mainly at pictures of deer as thats usually most of the dataset on snapshot wisconsin. try and notice what animal/subject/object comes up most in your research. maybe take what you have learnt outside with you. although i loved birds before, i have found that i can recognise them more frequently when i go for walks, i also now know more about australian, african, and american wildlife!

  how to start (in conclusion):

  - create an account

  - pick a project

  - learn the classification process

  - get classifying!!

final thoughts... if this has persuaded you to start helping and volunteering, i will be happy to have made a difference and proud of you for taking the call to join me. even though the world seems to be falling apart, with us volunteering it should help to slow the falling apart a little, or atleast make the falling apart a little more fun and informative. i hope the playlist was long enough for you to still be listening after you read, and hopefully while you sign up. go make a difference, dear reader!! (all the pictures included are taken by me off my laptop when i was classifying in class from snapshot wisconsin!!)

(if you have any thoughts, please let me know on my guestbook!)

date started: 29 may 2025

date finished: 30 may 2025

updates: none