The Citizen Science Lab proudly looks back on a successful first edition of the Expeditie Stadsnatuur Leiden. On the 20th of June, we concluded the Expedition with a festive handover of the results to Ashley North, Alderman for Climate, Mobility and Finance, and with a market organised for and by lovers of Leiden’s nature.

On the 9th of November 2022, 149 groups of last year's primary school children from 31 schools around the Netherlands had the opportunity to become social scientists for a day, researching their own social environment in a Citizen Science project called ‘Wij vinden!” (We find!)

How many species of plants, animals, fungi and moss live in the gardens surrounding the Oude UB at Rapenburg 70? On Tuesday May 20th, the Citizen Science Lab led an investigation in the front gardens and back courtyard of the Old UB at Rapenburg 70, together with 15 colleagues working in that building.

Children are little scientists by nature. The best way to introduce them to science is to put them to work and let them do actual scientific research.

NestWatch uses smart birdhouses to research how the city affects the development of young birds.

The school curriculum is often geared towards teaching the next generation of scientists, but in many ways, children already are natural scientists. Their curiosity pushes them to constantly question the world, and their creativity drives them to novel conclusions. However, too many children believe that science is not for them, especially youngsters coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Lil Scientist project is trying to solve this, engaging children with scientists, and opening up the possibility that they too can research any subject that sparks their curiosity, and create new knowledge in the world.

In the summer of 2023, interested parties set out to map air quality in Leiden. Using a technique by British artist Robin Price, they made the invisible visible to start the conversation about the importance of good air quality.

For many people spring is associated with the awakening of nature. The trees begin to paint the backdrop green again, welcoming the beginning of a new season with the chorus of frogs and bees, and the scent of flowers in the air. For Jaqueline Henrot, researcher at Naturalis Biodiversity Center and environmental consultant, spring also heralds the start of “Oevercheck” season.