From Beginners to Experts: 10 Citizen Science Projects Anyone Can Do in 2025
Citizen science is exploding in popularity as everyday people—from students to retirees—join forces with researchers to collect data, solve real-world problems, and learn about nature. Citizen science projects often focus on areas like biodiversity monitoring, climate change, and environmental issues.
In 2025, innovative citizen science projects and user-friendly apps are making it easier than ever to get involved. Whether you’re curious about the night sky, wildlife in your backyard, or even distant galaxies, there’s a citizen science project for you.
In this article, we’ll guide you through why citizen science is essential today, the tangible benefits it offers, and provide an overview of current citizen science trends in 2025. Finally, we’ll highlight 10 easy citizen science projects you can try right away.
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| Best citizen science projects 2025 |
Introduction
Citizen science, defined as the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research, has become increasingly accessible by 2025, offering opportunities for individuals to contribute meaningfully to scientific discoveries.
Citizen science is no longer a niche hobby; it has evolved into a powerful tool for scientific discovery and public engagement.
With more accessible technology and innovative citizen science apps, everyday people can now contribute to important research in fields ranging from astronomy to environmental monitoring.
For instance, platforms like iNaturalist and Zooniverse have transformed data collection by enabling volunteers worldwide to share observations in real time.
In fact, by 2024, iNaturalist reported over 230 million observations from 7.6 million registered users—a number that continues to grow year after year.
As we step into 2025, the best citizen science projects are focusing on ease of participation, robust data collection, and meaningful scientific outcomes.
Key Points
- Research suggests easy citizen science projects include observing stars, photographing nature, and classifying galaxies, accessible to all with minimal equipment.
- It seems likely that projects like GLOBE at Night and iNaturalist can be done from home using a smartphone, while others like eBird require simple outdoor observations.
- The evidence leans toward these projects being global, with over 100,000 participants contributing millions of observations annually, enhancing scientific research.
Top 10 Ranked Citizen Science Projects List
Here are 10 easy citizen science projects you can try in 2025, each designed for beginners with minimal equipment needed.
- iNaturalist - Take photos of plants and animals with your smartphone and upload them to a global biodiversity database. Over 2.2 million users, 174 million observations by 2025.
- eBird - Record bird sightings using the app or website, contributing to global bird population studies. 1 billion+ observations, 100,000+ users.
- GLOBE Observer - Use the app to observe and report on clouds, land cover, and mosquito habitats, aiding climate research. Part of NASA’s 31 projects, 100,000+ downloads, broad environmental impact.
- Galaxy Zoo - Classify galaxy shapes from images online, helping astronomers understand the universe. 1.5 million Zooniverse volunteers, foundational project since 2007.
- GLOBE at Night - Measure light pollution by observing the night sky and reporting star visibility using the app or website. 310,596 total observations, 65,000+ from 115 countries.
- Foldit - Play a game to solve protein folding puzzles, aiding medical research. 57,000 players credited in Nature, gamified appeal.
- Snapshot Safari - Identify animals in photos from African wildlife camera traps, supporting conservation efforts. High engagement on Zooniverse, supports conservation research.
- Exoplanet Watch - Observe exoplanets using provided data or remote telescopes, contributing to planetary science. 400+ exoplanets studied, growing community via Slack.
- Old Weather - Transcribe historical ship logs to digitize weather data for climate studies. 51% complete by 2015, ongoing climate impact.
- Stardust@home - Search images for interstellar dust particles, contributing to space science. Co-authorship opportunities, niche but significant since 2006.
The Importance of Citizen Science in 2025
In 2025, citizen science has become a cornerstone in tackling environmental, astronomical, and health challenges. With traditional research funding facing constraints and vast geographical areas remaining understudied, citizen contributions fill essential data gaps.
Research suggests that citizen science projects in 2025 are designed to engage volunteers with varying levels of scientific background, often requiring only a smartphone, computer, or basic observation skills.
Here’s why citizen science is so important now:
Widespread Participation: Global participation in citizen science projects has surged by nearly 45% from 2019 to 2024, reflecting a growing public interest in contributing to scientific discovery.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Government agencies and researchers now rely on citizen-collected data to monitor biodiversity, track pollution, and even forecast climate change impacts. For example, citizen science data helped highlight that 61% of UK freshwater sites were in poor condition due to pollutants like phosphates and nitrates in 2024.
Empowering Communities: By getting involved, participants help shape policies that directly affect their environments—from local conservation efforts to global climate action.
Read Here: How Citizen Science Empowers Communities
Today, with powerful citizen science apps making participation easier than ever, 2025 is poised to be a year when our collective observations transform scientific research and policy.
Benefits of Participating in Citizen Science Projects
Joining citizen science projects isn’t just about contributing data—it comes with a host of personal and community benefits.
⇒ Contribution to Scientific Research
Citizen science projects have proven time and again that volunteer observations can drive major research breakthroughs. For example:
Biodiversity Mapping: Projects like iNaturalist have led to the discovery of new species and even the “rediscovery” of species once thought extinct. In 2024, scientists published over 4,000 research papers using iNaturalist data.
Large-Scale Data Collection: During river testing blitzes in the UK, over 7,000 volunteers collected data from nearly 4,000 sites in just a couple of weekends, providing insights that traditional monitoring methods couldn’t match.
Astronomical Discoveries: In projects like Galaxy Zoo, volunteers help classify galaxies, leading to discoveries that refine our understanding of the universe.
Your participation can directly impact research projects, making scientific findings more comprehensive and robust.
⇒ Community Engagement and Education
Citizen science projects foster a sense of community and shared purpose:
Learning by Doing: Many projects offer educational materials and interactive tools, allowing participants to learn scientific methods and data analysis. This hands-on approach demystifies science, making it accessible for everyone.
Local Impact: By contributing to local projects—like bird counts or water quality monitoring—you gain insights into your own environment and help inform community decisions. Studies have shown that local involvement increases public support for conservation policies.
Networking Opportunities: Citizen science events, whether virtual or in-person, allow you to connect with like-minded individuals, experts, and even policy-makers, building a network that values science and nature.
⇒ Personal Development and Skill Enhancement
Participating in citizen science projects also boosts your personal growth:
Skill Acquisition: Many projects teach practical skills—from species identification using apps like Merlin ID to using simple laboratory equipment for data collection. These skills can be useful in both personal hobbies and professional contexts.
Increased Scientific Literacy: By actively engaging with data and research, you develop a deeper understanding of scientific principles. This enhanced literacy empowers you to make informed decisions and participate in public discourse.
Sense of Accomplishment: There’s tremendous satisfaction in knowing that your observations, no matter how small, contribute to big-picture research and environmental protection.
In short, citizen science projects provide a win-win situation: they propel research forward while enriching your own knowledge and skills.
Citizen Science Trends in 2025
Let’s explore some of the trends shaping the world of citizen science in 2025.
⇨ Technological Advancements Facilitating Participation
Technology continues to drive the evolution of citizen science:
Mobile Apps: New citizen science apps are more user-friendly than ever, offering features like real-time data uploads, automated species identification, and offline data collection. Apps like iNaturalist, which now boasts a massive global user base, and newer platforms such as Snapshot Safari are transforming how data is collected and shared.
Artificial Intelligence: AI is increasingly used to verify and analyze data. For instance, machine learning algorithms can now help identify species from photographs, reducing errors and streamlining the data validation process.
Integration with Wearables: Some projects are beginning to integrate with wearable devices, enabling continuous data collection (e.g., tracking environmental exposures or monitoring wildlife movements).
Improved Connectivity: With expanding internet access and network coverage, even remote areas can now be included in citizen science projects.
These technological advances are lowering barriers to entry and ensuring that citizen science data is accurate, timely, and widely available.
⇨ Increased Collaboration Between Scientists and the Public
The relationship between professional scientists and citizen scientists is evolving:
Co-Creation Models: More projects now involve volunteers in project design and analysis, moving beyond simply collecting data to having a say in research questions and methodologies. This collaborative approach not only democratizes science but also enhances the relevance and impact of the research.
Cross-Sector Partnerships: Universities, government agencies, nonprofits, and even private companies are partnering with citizen science initiatives. For example, the Environment Agency in the UK is integrating data from citizen scientists into its monitoring systems, acknowledging the value of these contributions.
Global Networks: Platforms like Zooniverse and iNaturalist connect participants from around the world, allowing for global-scale studies and fostering a sense of worldwide community engagement.
⇨ Focus on Environmental and Health-Related Projects
Environmental and public health issues remain top priorities:
Biodiversity and Conservation: With climate change accelerating species declines and habitat loss, projects that monitor biodiversity (such as the Great Backyard Bird Count and iNaturalist) are critical. These projects provide data that help shape conservation policies and protect endangered species. Understand how citizen science helps climate change in 2025.
Pollution Monitoring: Citizen science initiatives are increasingly used to monitor air, water, and soil pollution. For example, volunteers have helped document pollution levels in rivers and urban areas, providing actionable data for regulators.
Health and Epidemiology: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, citizen science has expanded to include health-related research. Apps that track symptoms and health behaviors help researchers understand disease patterns and inform public health responses. Read Here: Citizen Science Public Health 2025.
Astronomy and Space Science: Projects like Galaxy Zoo and Exoplanet Watch harness the power of the crowd to analyze vast amounts of astronomical data, contributing to our understanding of the universe.
These trends illustrate that citizen science is not only growing in numbers but also becoming more sophisticated and integrated into mainstream scientific research.
Top 10 Easy Citizen Science Projects to Try in 2025
Citizen science offers a fantastic way for anyone to contribute to real scientific discoveries from the comfort of home or nearby locations.
Now let’s dive into 10 exciting and accessible citizen science projects that you can try in 2025. These projects have been selected because they’re easy to join, offer meaningful contributions to science, and can be accessed using some of the best citizen science apps 2025 has to offer.
1. iNaturalist
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| iNaturalist helps you learn about nature and identify the plants and animals around you. |
Overview:
iNaturalist is one of the most popular citizen science platforms, where you can document biodiversity around you by taking photos of plants, animals, fungi, and more.
How to Participate:
- Install the iNaturalist app (available for iOS and Android).
- Snap pictures of any living organisms you encounter.
- Upload your observations, and let the community help with species identification.
Why It Matters:
With over 230 million observations contributed worldwide, iNaturalist plays a crucial role in biodiversity monitoring and conservation.
2. eBird
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| eBird is an online database to discover a new world of birding |
Overview:
eBird is a widely used platform where birdwatchers can record sightings and contribute to global bird population data.
How to Participate:
- Download the eBird app (available for iOS and Android).
- Record your bird observations, including species, number, and location.
- Submit your checklists online to contribute to a massive global database.
Why It Matters:
eBird data are used by researchers, conservationists, and policy-makers to monitor bird populations and migration patterns. With millions of observations logged every year, eBird is one of the most successful examples of citizen science in action.
3. GLOBE Observer
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| Home page of GLOBE Observer citizen science app |
Overview:
GLOBE Observer is part of the larger GLOBE Program, focusing on Earth system science. Volunteers help measure cloud cover, land cover, and mosquito habitats, among other things.
How to Participate:
- Use the GLOBE Observer app to record observations.
- Follow guided instructions to capture data on weather, land, and water conditions.
- Share your findings to support global climate and environmental research.
Why It Matters:
Data from GLOBE Observer have been used in numerous studies to monitor climate change and environmental shifts. It’s a direct way to contribute to our understanding of the planet’s health.
4. Galaxy Zoo
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| Galaxy Zoo project by Zooniverse invites people to classify a million galaxies. |
Overview:
Galaxy Zoo invites you to help classify galaxies using images taken by telescopes. No prior experience in astronomy is needed—just a curious mind!
How to Participate:
- Visit the Galaxy Zoo website.
- Look through images of galaxies and classify them based on shape and structure.
- Your classifications contribute to research on galaxy evolution.
Why It Matters:
Galaxy Zoo’s contributions have led to numerous scientific publications, proving that even simple classifications can have a big impact on our understanding of the universe.
5. GLOBE at Night
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| Globe at Night citizen science program home page image |
GLOBE at Night is an international project that invites participants to measure light pollution in their communities. By observing the brightness of the night sky, volunteers help scientists understand how artificial light affects ecosystems and human health.
How to Participate:
- Download the GLOBE at Night app or use the website.
- Follow the simple instructions to record the visibility of constellations.
- Submit your observations online.
Why It Matters:
Light pollution impacts wildlife, disrupts ecosystems, and affects human health. In 2024, over 600,000 people participated in similar projects, helping track changes in light pollution levels globally.
6. Foldit
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| Foldit is the first protein-folding project developed by the University of Washington. |
Overview:
Foldit is a unique citizen science game where you help solve complex protein-folding puzzles. Your solutions can contribute to real scientific research in biochemistry and medicine.
How to Participate:
- Download Foldit for your computer.
- Solve puzzles by folding proteins into optimal shapes.
- Submit your results and see how your efforts contribute to scientific discoveries.
Why It Matters:
Foldit has led to breakthroughs in understanding protein structures, which are essential for developing new treatments and medicines.
7. Snapshot Safari
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| Snapshot Safari project by Zooniverse helps identify wildlife dynamics |
Overview:
Snapshot Safari is an app-based project that encourages you to document wildlife in your area. Whether you’re in a city park or a remote trail, every observation counts.
How to Participate:
- Download the Snapshot Safari app.
- Take pictures of wildlife during your outdoor adventures.
- Upload your images with location data and share observations with the community.
Why It Matters:
This project not only contributes to urban biodiversity studies but also helps track the movement and behavior of wildlife in various habitats.
8. Exoplanet Watch
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| Exoplanet Watch is a NASA citizen science project to help anyone explore exoplanets. |
Overview:
Exoplanet Watch focuses on monitoring exoplanets—planets orbiting stars beyond our solar system. Volunteers help track transits (when a planet passes in front of its star), providing data that can reveal new worlds.
How to Participate:
- Use an app designed for exoplanet monitoring or access data through the Exoplanet Watch website.
- Analyze light curves (graphs of brightness) to detect potential transits.
- Share your findings with the scientific community.
Why It Matters:
Citizen scientists have been instrumental in the discovery of exoplanets. This project highlights the role of collective data in exploring the cosmos.
9. Old Weather
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| Old Weather project helps transcribe Arctic and worldwide weather observations. |
Overview:
Old Weather invites volunteers to transcribe historical weather data from ship logbooks. By digitizing old records, you help scientists improve climate models and historical weather reconstructions.
How to Participate:
- Visit the Old Weather project website.
- Transcribe weather observations from scanned logbook pages.
- Your work helps create valuable datasets for climate research.
Why It Matters:
Historical data are critical for understanding long-term climate trends. Projects like Old Weather have already transformed decades of handwritten records into digital archives.
10. Stardust@home
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| Stardust@home project encourages you to search images for tiny interstellar dust impacts. |
Overview:
Stardust@home lets you search for interstellar dust particles in images taken by the Stardust spacecraft. It’s like being an explorer looking for clues from outer space.
How to Participate:
- Register on the Stardust@home website.
- Examine images and mark potential dust particle tracks.
- Your contributions help researchers study cosmic dust and the origins of our solar system.
Why It Matters:
By analyzing cosmic dust, scientists can learn about the formation of our solar system and the materials that make up distant stars.
Table of Top 10 Citizen Science Projects in 2025
This table ranks citizen science projects by engagement, ease, and impact, aligning with 2025 accessibility.
Read Here: How to Join Citizen Science 2025: Step-by-Step Guide
Conclusion: Which are the Best Citizen Science Projects 2025 for You?
Citizen science is revolutionizing the way we collect and analyze data. In 2025, with a surge in participation and advancements in mobile apps and digital technologies, the opportunities to contribute to science have never been greater.
Whether it’s mapping light pollution with GLOBE at Night or classifying galaxies with Galaxy Zoo, these projects make it simple and fun to get involved. If you participate in these projects, you not only help drive scientific research and influence public policy but also gain valuable knowledge and skills.
Choose the best citizen science projects 2025 for you. The latest citizen science apps 2025 are designed to be accessible and rewarding—empowering you to take part in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our world today.
So why not take a few minutes out of your day to explore one (or more) of these projects? Your observations could help unlock new scientific discoveries, support local conservation efforts, and even inspire others in your community to join the movement. After all, science is for everyone, and together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future.
Citizen science continues to grow as a critical component of modern scientific discovery. Whether you’re contributing to environmental monitoring or exploring distant galaxies, each observation adds a valuable piece to the puzzle of understanding our world.
So grab your smartphone, join a project, and become a part of the revolution—one observation at a time.
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