Citizen Science
Public jellyfish reports, educational outreach and research that connects marine science with communities.
From a citizen science perspective, in addition to public jellyfish sighting reports, we are actively engaged with the community through outreach activities in schools and kindergartens and by delivering public lectures.
We also conducted a structured survey on jellyfish stings. The resulting data were analyzed and led to a peer-reviewed publication with evidence-based conclusions regarding recommended post-sting treatment for Rhopilema nomadica.
Taking Citizen Science to School
The "Taking Citizen Science to School" research center and the "Medusa Baam" research group collaborated with "Rambam", a religious public school.
The collaboration produced a syllabus in which pupils do not only learn about jellyfish but investigate them themselves and report sightings from the Nahariya shoreline. Researchers from the group lectured at the school, guided the pupils on a beach tour, hosted them at the University of Haifa and ran a data research workshop built on reports from the Meduzot Ba'am project.
This model, of direct contact between researchers and the people who actually file the reports, recurs across all of the lab's citizen science channels: in schools, in coastal communities and in public lectures.
Citizen science channels
Collaboration with elementary school
Pupils at the Rambam school in Nahariya studied jellyfish through a dedicated syllabus, met scientists in class and on the beach, visited the University of Haifa and analysed real reporting data.
Read the full page
In the community
Surfers, swimmers, divers, lifeguards and beachgoers act as additional eyes along the coast, reporting sightings through the Meduzot Ba'am app after meeting us at their own clubs.
Read the full page
Public lectures
Dozens of talks in community centres, diving clubs, schools and local authorities cover bloom drivers, species identification, evidence based sting treatment and how to report a sighting.
Read the full pageFocus areas
- Public jellyfish sighting reports
- Schools and kindergarten outreach
- Public lectures
- Structured sting surveys
- Evidence-based post-sting guidance
More projects
JellyfishMultidisciplinary research on jellyfish of the Mediterranean and Red Seas, from life cycle and reproduction to potential applications.
TRANSEATIONHybrid blue-grey marine and coastal infrastructures, combining nature-based solutions with ecosystem-based management.
Jellyfish Inc.Researchers and citizens working together to monitor, report and forecast jellyfish swarms along the Israeli coast.
MicroplasticsIntegrated research on the identification, distribution and removal of microplastics from the environment and wastewater.
PlanktonPlankton sampling, quantitative microscopy and automated imaging during marine research cruises.
Carbon SequestrationA nature-based pathway for long-term carbon storage in the oxygen-free depths of the Black Sea.