Science isn’t reserved for labs, textbooks, or grown-ups with fancy degrees—we all have a place in it. At Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University, we offer more than just exhibits. We offer a chance to get involved with something bigger–to discover, contribute, and connect—starting with a single observation.

In a world facing dire climate and biodiversity crises, one thing is clear: we all have a role to play. Solving these challenges will take more work than researchers with advanced technical degrees can do alone. Long before science moved into universities and research facilities, it lived in gardens, on walks through the woods, and in the pages of worn notebooks kept by everyday people with inquisitive minds. Some of the most meaningful discoveries still begin with simple observations made by curious people like you and me—those who watch birds soaring overhead or notice flowers blooming a little earlier each year.

Thanks to thousands of nature-loving volunteers, researchers discovered that spring is arriving earlier in Canada—plant flowering times are advancing by about 9 days for every degree Celsius of warming. When observations from ordinary people help answer extraordinary questions, we call it citizen science (it could also be called community science, participatory science, or the lesser-known but equally loved “everyone who can make a single observation is invited” science).

As EFM opens its doors this year to thousands of visitors, we are determined not only to offer scientifically accurate displays and exhibits but to invite guests themselves to become part of science. The simple truth is science is for everybody.

We’re delighted to introduce Citizen Science Sundays—a free, weekly, hands-on program where visitors of all ages can take part in real scientific research. Held every Sunday from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, before the museum halls open to the public, these sessions spotlight a unique citizen science project each week. Guests can explore new tools, contribute data, and connect with both local and global scientific efforts.

We’re not doing this alone. We’ve teamed up with SciStarter, an incredible online platform that connects everyday people with hundreds of citizen science projects happening around the world. Whether you're passionate about local pollinators, curious about the effects of climate change in your community, or just looking for a way to meet like-minded individuals in a fun, unique setting, Citizen Science Sundays are for you.

Whether you’re a budding young naturalist, a teacher looking to connect students to real-world science, or just someone who loves to learn—you belong here.

In a time when science is too often dismissed, discredited, or politicized, it’s easy to feel powerless. The biggest problems (climate change, species loss, environmental injustice) are too much for one person to handle and can feel too momentous to comprehend. But that’s exactly why even the smallest individual actions, when joined together, can create real change. The world is filled with people just like you and me who love to learn, grow, and protect the natural world around us. When we observe, record, and question together as a global community, we become part of something much larger than ourselves.

Citizen science offers a path to transform uncertainty into a chance for curiosity, integrity, and hope, allowing us to make a positive impact and find meaning in our efforts.

Consider this your formal invitation, from the EFM team, to be a part of the science.

Join our Citizen Science Sundays: https://dino.efm.org/citizenscience2025