Advisor Information
Ann Fruhling
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
3-3-2017 9:00 AM
End Date
3-3-2017 10:15 AM
Abstract
Citizen science is currently employed in a variety of fields and has been enabling the collection of large swaths of data that would otherwise go uncollected. The Nebraska Watershed Network (NWN) utilizes citizen scientists to perform water tests, and currently, the results are written on postcards and then mailed to the NWN. We believe that using the proper technological tools will enhance the citizen scientist experience and the data collection process. We have developed a database and web application for the NWN that will allow citizen scientists to use their smartphones to enter their results immediately upon completing the tests while still out in the field. This application will also allow citizen scientists to immediately view their newly entered data points on a responsive map alongside all of the other citizen scientists’ data points for that project. We believe that this web application will significantly increase citizen scientists’ interest, commitment, and participation levels in NWN projects. We are eagerly awaiting the application’s deployment in the field in April of 2017.
Enhancing the Citizen Scientist Experience through Responsive Web Design
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Citizen science is currently employed in a variety of fields and has been enabling the collection of large swaths of data that would otherwise go uncollected. The Nebraska Watershed Network (NWN) utilizes citizen scientists to perform water tests, and currently, the results are written on postcards and then mailed to the NWN. We believe that using the proper technological tools will enhance the citizen scientist experience and the data collection process. We have developed a database and web application for the NWN that will allow citizen scientists to use their smartphones to enter their results immediately upon completing the tests while still out in the field. This application will also allow citizen scientists to immediately view their newly entered data points on a responsive map alongside all of the other citizen scientists’ data points for that project. We believe that this web application will significantly increase citizen scientists’ interest, commitment, and participation levels in NWN projects. We are eagerly awaiting the application’s deployment in the field in April of 2017.