Silesian universities are starting activities carried out using the citizen science method. Topic: water. Goal: to jointly face current challenges resulting from the hydrological situation in the city, region, country and world, and to check what we really know about the fluids we take into our bodies every day and how they affect us.
Why citizen science?
The idea behind projects implemented using the citizen science method, and at the same time their great value, is truly including people from outside of the academic circles in the world of science in an active and causative sense. The essence of such projects is to creatively bring these two spheres closer together and prove that they do not have to belong to exotic galaxies separated from each other by light years of titles, competences, achievements and affiliations. Projects of this type implemented around the world prove that society and academia can effectively cooperate for common benefits.
Thanks to the involvement of people from outside the university walls, we see even more clearly that science is, in fact, a social creation. The participation of citizens representing various social groups enables the collection of data on a larger scale than usual – often inaccessible to small research teams. Participants coming from different backgrounds, cities or regions guarantee that the information provided will be appropriately diversified, which in turn may translate into more comprehensive and unexpected (in the positive sense of the word) research results. What is more, the presence of non-experts, who function on a daily basis outside of the traditional scientific structures, allows for a fresh look at research problems and gives hope of developing new, creative solutions. Citizen science is also an opportunity for local communities to report problems specific to their environment, which increases the chances for more targeted and effective actions by scientists.
Citizen science in the European City of Science
As part of the European City of Science Katowice 2024, Silesian universities initiate projects involving the community in the implementation of scientific research. The goal is to implement innovative research projects that will have a direct impact on the quality of our lives and the natural environment. The analysis of many different proposals and possibilities allowed us to develop a consensus: we will focus on water.
Why water?
Water is one of the top issues that, in the first half of the 21st century, keep not only climate activists but also scientists, politicians and the public awake at night. Climate change affects the availability and quality of resources of this life-giving substance. It is difficult to look away from extreme weather phenomena, such as droughts and floods, which are no longer images observed only on our TV screens. Moreover, the problem of water pollution in Poland today turns out to be greater than ever before, an excellent, although disturbing, proof of which is the alarming state of the Oder river. Research conducted with the participation of local communities will help to better understand these changes and their consequences, and this, in turn, will result in the development of new, creative and, above all, accurate methods of dealing with problems related to water – its quality, availability and protection of flora and fauna dependent on it.
Citizen science projects
As part of activities carried out using the citizen science method in Silesia, the following projects will be implemented around water-related issues:
- ‘Responsible water recreation (REC)’ – initiative established by Prof. Iwona Jelonek from the University of Silesia will engage residents of the agglomeration, students, members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), fishing clubs and reservoir managers in the identification of bathing areas, the current assessment of the quality of their waters and air within recreation areas, the indication of beach pollution and the recommendation of attractions accompanying relaxation by the water. The result of the work is to be a database of recreation places and a report on their condition. The activities will culminate in two popular science publications, recommendations for bathing areas managers and a summary conference. Experimental research combined with air measurements, GPR measurements and workshops for children are planned in three recreational facilities located in Katowice – Maroko and Mokre (on 2 and 9 August) and at OWR Sosina in Jaworzno (16 August).
- ‘Assessment of the impact of the amount of water consumed and types of drinks on the psychophysical condition – Water4Health’ – project proposed by scientists from the Silesian University of Technology: Prof. Eng. Robert Michnik, Katarzyna Nowakowska-Lipiec, PhD Eng., Marek Ples, MSc Eng., Hanna Zadoń, MSc Eng. and Piotr Szaflik, MSc Eng. assumes cooperation of participants from various age groups – from secondary school students over the age of 18, through university students and working adults, to seniors – as part of research on assessing the impact of what we drink and in what quantities on our general condition. The tests carried out on the examined individuals will allow to check the level of awareness of WHO recommendations regarding the amount of water and drinks consumed, as well as to assess their psychophysical condition. As part of the project, a scientific publication and a portal will be created, where research results and conclusions resulting from the analyses will be available. They will also be announced at a scientific conference and published in a scientific journal or a chapter of a scientific monograph.
- ‘Identification and determination of biodiversity and water quality of reservoirs and rivers: macrophytes’ – as part of the project initiated by Edyta Sierka, PhD, DSc, Assoc. Prof., and the Silesian Water Centre, city residents – representatives of fishing clubs, reservoir managers and students – will provide support to scientists and researchers in identifying the number of reservoirs and watercourses, as well as the diversity of coastal vegetation (macrophytes), in addition to determining water quality parameters in Katowice and towns belonging to Metropolis GZM. The information will be collected in a database prepared by scientists and will then serve as the basis for scientific and statistical analyses. Those interested will be able to follow the progress of the work on social and university media, and the project’s achievements will be presented as part of university events, e.g. photography exhibitions.
- ‘Observation of birds in nesting boxes as ecological education using a deep learning algorithm’ – the idea behind the initiative of Henryk A. Kretek, PhD from the Silesian University of Technology is the installation of nesting boxes/houses for birds, insect hotels and apartments for bumblebees in order to systematically observe them. The observation will be conducted using a deep learning algorithm with the use of cameras and perovskite solar cells, both outside and inside the facilities. Additionally, each booth will have a module for sending broadcasts via YouTube, which will enable anyone to watch the animals from anywhere. Activities aimed at learning the habits of birds and insects as part of multi-generational cooperation will be summarised during a conference, and then the project will be extended to other places in the Silesian Voivodeship.
Why these projects in particular?
The programme on water issues implemented by Silesian universities is the first project of its kind in the region that uses the citizen science method. More similar initiatives are planned soon regarding other issues important for Silesia, the country and the world – any day now we will invite everyone to participate in selected research. We hope that our project will meet with interest – after all, it is worth getting involved and having an impact on what affects the quality of our lives!
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