FutureLearn

Citizen Science: Sensing the World (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Dundee, Grow Observatory,
Citizen Science: Sensing the World (FutureLearn)

Learn about sensing, including how to use a soil sensor and how to monitor the changing climate, by joining the GROW Observatory. Improve your soil and monitor the changing climate as a citizen scientist. Did you know satellites are constantly monitoring soil moisture, even in your garden? Monitoring the moisture in soil can help predict floods, fires and droughts. On this course, you will learn about the ESA’s Sentinel-1 Missions, and how citizens can validate satellite data locally with sensors.

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You’ll discover sensing, and become part of the GROW Citizen Observatory. You will collaborate with other growers and scientists to learn about soil sensors and make sense of the data to improve your growing practice.
Now is the time to make a difference! Join us and become a citizen scientist.

What topics will you cover?

  • Earth Observation
  • Citizen science
  • Climate monitoring
  • Climate and moisture
  • Satellites
  • Soil sensors
  • Remote sensing
  • The GROW Observatory

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Investigate the relationship between climate monitoring, remote sensing and Earth Observation
  • Explore how soil sensors can be used to improve your food growing and soil health
  • Discuss the potential of participatory culture, citizen sensing and citizen science
  • Identify the relationship between European Space Agency’s satellites and low cost soil sensors and how they can help us predict floods, droughts, fires and the changing climate’s impact on food production.
  • Engage with basic technical information about soil sensors, their limitations and their potential
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