Research! Coming Soon To A Home Near You

Citizen science is all about getting people to become active participants in the scientific process. And a new research project that focuses on the wild life in our homes is a great opportunity to use citizen science to collect meaningful data and advance our understanding of the world around us in a fun and interesting way. But no one can participate if they don’t know your project exists. So, how do you reach those people in the first place?

For one research team at NC State, a movie trailer was the answer (see below). The Wild Life Of Your Home project is the brainchild of Rob Dunn, an associate professor of biology at NC State. He wants to find out exactly what bacteria, fungi, insects, and other organisms can be found in our homes. At present, somewhat amazingly, we don’t have a very good idea of what’s there.

Since people fear the unknown (try putting an unfamiliar dish in front of a five-year-old), the trailer has a “scary movie” theme. It’s fun, and a little silly. But the idea behind it is completely serious. Dunn wants people to be part of a serious scientific inquiry. And if it’s also fun, all the better.

So, check out the video. Let us know what you think. Share it with your friends. And, most importantly, please decide to get involved.