Want to volunteer your time to scientific research, but do it on your own schedule? Citizen science allows the public to help contribute to scientific research by analysing data, some of which could potentially cure diseases. You could even be credited for making a discovery. Click on one of the links below and become a volunteer citizen scientist today!

Galaxy Zoo
Hubble uses gorgeous imagery of hundreds of thousands of galaxies drawn from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope archive. To understand how these galaxies formed, you can help classify them according to their shapes.

Map Explorer
This study aims to utilize modern non-invasive survey tools to search for the tomb of Genghis Khan in order to learn about Mongolia's rich historical heritage and the rapidly changing landscape. You can tag clues and artifacts on satellite images of the area.

Evolution MegaLab
Help scientists study the banded snail by participating in some field work and identifying snails in your own backyard. By learning abou tthir band colours, habitats, and other characteristics, you can help determine how snails have evolved to adapt to predation and climate.

iSpot
The iSpot website, funded by a grant from the Big Lottery Fund under the OPAL consortium helps people identify common animals and plants and to share their observations.Learn more about wildlife, share your interest with a friendly community and get help identifying what you have seen.

FoldIt
Foldit is a computer game where you can fold proteins to create protein structures. Knowing the structureo f a protein allows researchers to understand how it works and how drugs can be used to targe it. Try and get a high score by folding the best protein. By playing this game, you are contributing to curing diseases like HIV/AIDS, cancer, and Alzheimers.

Phylo
Sequence alignments of sections of human DNA are arranged to identify the source of genetic disorders. An algorithm is used to align these sequences; however, due to the high cost and large size of the human genome, mistakes are made. By taking data aligned by the algorithm, you can manipulate patterns of coloured shapes to determine the mistakes.

Stardust@home
NASA’s Stardust@home citizen science project allows anyone with Internet access to help in the search for the first samples of solid matter from outside the solar system. In fact, the discoverer of an interstellar dust particle appears as a co-author on any scientific paper by the Stardust@home team.

World Water Monitoring Day
This international education and outreach program builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies. All you have to do is pick a site, order your test kit, collect the data and report it. The next monitoring period starts March 22 and runs until December 31 2012.