Program

FieldScope

Online Mapping for Citizen Science Investigation

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^{Image courtesy National Geographic FieldScope}

Overview

National Geographic FieldScope is a web-based platform to support our Community Geography Initiative. FieldScope is a mapping, analysis, and collaboration tool designed to support geographic investigations and engage citizen scientists in investigations of real-world issues—both in the classroom and in outdoor education settings. National Geographic FieldScope enhances scientific investigations by providing rich geographic context—through maps, mapping activities, and a rich community where fieldwork and data are integrated with that of peers and professionals, adding analysis opportunities and meaning to student investigations.

National Geographic FieldScope

uses cutting-edge technology to make interactive mapping and geospatial data analysis tools accessible to students via the web in an intuitive package that is free and does not require software installation.
enables students and classrooms to upload their own field data—including quantitative measurements, field notes, and media, such as photos—and to see it in relation to data from peers and professional scientists.
fosters collaborative sharing and analysis of data among the FieldScope community and beyond.

National Geographic is partnering with groups—across a range of scientific disciplines—that are interested in exploring how FieldScope can better support student geographic learning and outdoor investigations.

How do I participate?

Students and Citizen Scientists:

Explore current FieldScope projects
Encourage a teacher to participate

Teachers and Citizen Science Program Managers:

Explore current FieldScope projects
Contact National Geographic FieldScope Program

FieldScope is growing!

With funding from the National Science Foundation, National Geographic is extending FieldScope’s functionality and reach. We will be improving FieldScope’s user-interface, adding more visualization and analysis tools, and integrating social networking tools. We are currently working with two citizen science programs—Project BudBurst (National Ecological Observatory Network) and FrogWatch, USA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) to help us build and test FieldScope’s new capabilities.

As part of this research and development project, we are working with two organizations to help us evaluate the effectiveness of FieldScope. PEER Associates will help us determine how well FieldScope helps people learn, and New Media Consortium will help us determine the effectiveness of the human-computer interface of FieldScope.

In the final stage of this project, we will be developing tools that will allow anyone to create their own customized FieldScope citizen science project using a simple web-based interface. Look for these to be available beginning in late 2013.

Press Release From National Geographic
Project Summary From The Grant Proposal to NSF

Featured FieldScope Projects

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Community Geography Initiative

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BioBlitz Education

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Chesapeake Bay Water Quality

Learn more about this project-based, citizen science educational initiative!