Student Research Reports

Citizen science is the method of involving the public in scientific research, most commonly through data collection and analytics using online tools. Citizen science methods democratize science and increase the quantity of meaningful data available to researchers. NASA’s GLOBE Observer is an app-based system that allows users to record and upload environmental data to public databases. It includes land cover, cloud cover, and mosquito population data. However, as reported by NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Sciences (SEES) interns, users of the land cover portion of the GLOBE application frequently face the loss of their observation data, issues with location accuracy, and low image resolution, all of which negatively impact classification results. To address these challenges, we are developing EarthLens. EarthLens is a drone and app-based system designed to expand citizen science-based land cover analysis and environmental monitoring through real-time data collection and remote control. The project combines an open-sourced lightweight drone design, equipped with affordable high-resolution cameras and visible/NIR spectrometers (NASA STELLA devices), and an intuitive mobile application that allows users to upload and visualize their data. Through this, they can access geotagged photos, generate interactive maps, and use AI tools to analyze land cover data. Additionally, the app features a disaster overlay tool that utilizes satellite imagery to display before-and-after views of affected areas. Users may also utilize the app as a social platform where they can post their observations and participate in thematic challenges highlighting traits of their communities. By using these tools, EarthLens aims to improve the accessibility, speed, and scientific value of land cover observations. The goal is to expand on the GLOBE program with a more immersive, collaborative, and technologically advanced approach to citizen-powered earth science and environmental monitoring.