Different folks want to get involved in Public Lab for different reasons. Look through the following prompts to see where you fit in!

Starting points

Scientists and Engineers

I'm an expert looking for cool new technologies and gear!

Are you a professional scientist, engineer, or just have a lot of technical experience? Public Lab can offer a range of benefits, including:

• cutting edge open source hardware/software technologies and practices
• affordable new DIY tools and ideas
• a chance to get outside the ivory tower - to get your boots on the ground
• offering compelling technical needs
• getting you in touch with people who need expert support

This website can help you find:

• people who need your science/computer/statistics knowledge.
• people to collect your data
• people to collaborate with and even to promote your research
• people to lend you gear

How do I communicate with these different people?

The first and easiest way is to sign up on this website and join the mailing lists, which besides the main list are sorted by topic and place. Also try the following:

• consider posting a brief introduction about yourself to the mailing list as well as on your profile
• if you sign up on a local mailing list, ask about shared gear in your area
• ask about events being planned nearby, or host one yourself
• longer-term, consider attending the Public Lab Barnraising, an annual un-conference for the Public Lab community
• look for the Grassroots Mapping Forum, our quarterly research publication

Hackers and Makers, Gearheads and Tinkerers and Hobbyists

Hobbyists, Hackers, Makers Join our site to * Find other users * make gear better * find things to do with it * figure out what good data looks like * share what I do * get recognized for my contributions

• Share & Trade Skills and Gear

  • Look on our map for folks near you willing to share and trade skills and gear, and add skills and gear you're willing share to your profile and map.

• Buy/Sell/Trade/Bulk Order Gear/Kit assembly

  • check public lab listings for science gear, and list your unused gear to sell.

Enthusiasts and Organizers

Do you love bringing people together around meaningful, fun activities?

With Public Laboratory, you can:

• Get involved in your community, meet neighbors, learn about local issues!
• Organize people! field expeditions tool building workshops
• contribute to your community, help others, do good.
• Gain access to fun equipment!
• Meet experts!
• Learn new techniques, science, hardware, software.

Here are the starting places for participating in the Public Lab community:

• Join the local mailing list to introduce yourself, introduce your interests, and find out or announce new events!
• Create a user profile on publiclaboratory.org!
• Attend a Public Lab workshop or other event!
• Organize a trip for your friends, students, neighbors, etc!
• Post a Research Note to report back on: your progress making tools and learning how to use them! your early results! your experience going outside to collect data! your results from reviewing and analyzing your data! your updates on advocacy campaigns! and fun workshop photos!

link to brainstorm Google Drawing

People with Environmental Concerns

*stage 1: in the 1st minute [ Landing Page] sees cheap tools, clear instructions, nonprofit and a growing community

*stage 2: VIDEO explains concerns Sees Public Lab Process how it started what Public Lab does what outcomes have been gotten

explanation of tools/resources for addressing env. problems. -explains public lab process (self-organizing, DIY, lowcost, etc) and the Public Lab process may actually be better suited to address her specific concerns than a local research university or local environmental/ outdoor clubs. -Explains how Public Lab started and what staff, organizers, online community do and have done. -Includes a case of how civic environmnental monitoring has created real change in enviornmental protection/ performance.

*stage 3: MAP showing who is around and what they're up to. and what channels do we talk on? WEBPAGE: Directs her to pages on suggested organizing and workshop structures with prompts her to think through best engagement models

*stage 4: Buy or Make tool post your location to the map, which is public

*stage 5: folks contact her about the concern she's been working on.

VIDEO to address all audiences

Needs to touch on the following:

• introduces current enviornmental concerns & what env. outcomes have been achieved
• Shows Public Lab does and how the Public Lab Process
• explains that Public Lab is a nonprofit not private, not academic and a growing community
• how it started
• how it can help people Get involved in their community, meet neighbors, and learn about local issues
  • provides opportunities to :
• Organize people!
• go on field expeditions
• be part of tool building workshops
• contribute to your community, help others, do good.
• Gain access to fun equipment!
• Meet experts!
• Learn new techniques, science, hardware, software. -find cutting edge open source hardware/software technologies and practices
• affordable new DIY tools and ideas
• a chance to get outside the ivory tower - to get your boots on the ground
• offers compelling technical needs
• getting you in touch with people who need expert support