Saving Species with Citizen Science

Anyone can contribute to science, regardless of their age or experience.

Join BioQuisitive and Science For All at Monash Tech School for this hands on workshop about how everyday citizens are working to protect critically endangered species using DNA and other advanced technologies.

Science For All and BioQuisitive are currently monitoring three endangered species, one of which is the Leadbeater Possum, the focus of this workshop. Using a variety of different technologies, they’re training members of the public to work like a forensics team; going out into the field, collecting samples, and using their mobile lab to analyse the results. Working with partners such as the Australian National University, they’re identifying where these possums live in order to help map out their homes and inform evidence-based policies for protecting these species and their habitats. These technologies include thermal imaging cameras, DNA thermal cyclers, centrifuges, and more.

Observation and data collection is the core of the scientific method. Science for All has values which recognise that knowledge takes many forms – this includes people who are subject area experts, people with traditional, indigenous or local knowledge, and those with big dreams and big ideas. All are welcome to this workshop, no matter how much lab experience you have.