Unraveling Nature's Mysteries Through Citizen Science

For instance, a research team called "PicSea" collects images of trash on beaches and by water through smartphone photography, with the help of citizen volunteers (citizen scientists). Artificial intelligence then automatically identifies the images to uncover the causes of environmental problems. Another team, "Chikyu (Earth)," is building a platform that poses questions about the environment, framed as "Questions from Earth," based on accurate environmental information held by researchers. This platform provides information on the global environment in a way that can be enjoyed by everyone from elementary school students to adults. SCIENCE LEAGUE features various teams like these. While there's no competition between teams within the league, each team continuously confronts the shared mystery of "nature."

A "League of Research" to Bring Science Closer

Previously, research often felt distant from our daily lives. With highly advanced content that was difficult to comprehend, opportunities for the general public to engage with research activities were rare. Yet, the global environment is an issue intimately connected to our lives. SCIENCE LEAGUE was born from the desire to foster a sense of closeness to research, enabling citizens and researchers to think together.

SCIENCE LEAGUE operates on a team system, akin to baseball or soccer, where citizens/residents participate as "players" under a researcher who acts as the "manager." There are also "sponsors," such as companies and local governments, that support the research activities.

This is a completely new citizen-participation research movement that makes environmental issues and research activities feel more accessible. Various research teams are expected to join the league. For the latest information and participation methods, check the website and social media.