The Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science (Public Lab) is a community which develops and applies open-source tools to environmental exploration and investigation. By democratizing inexpensive and accessible Do-It-Yourself techniques, Public Lab creates a collaborative network of practitioners who actively re-imagine the human relationship with the environment. The core Public Lab program is focused on "civic science" in which we research open source hardware and software tools and methods to generate knowledge and share data about community environmental health. Our goal is to increase the ability of underserved communities to identify, redress, remediate, and create awareness and accountability around environmental concerns. Public Lab achieves this by providing online and offline training, education and support, and by focusing on locally-relevant outcomes that emphasize human capacity and understanding. Download a PDF overview of Public Laboratory's work here: [public-laboratory-overview-11-22-11.pdf](/sites/default/files/public-laboratory-overview-11-22-11.pdf) ##Join now at: [publiclab.org/join](/join)## We're developing new tools for civic science with the following features: * low cost * open source and user modifiable design, with creative reuse of consumer technology * ease of use/low barrier to entry for using hardware, software and field methods * public participation * data legibility (including a preference for maps and other rich visual means of representation) * high quality, environmentally and socially relevant data ##Useful pages## * [Contribute](/contribute) - how to participate in Public Lab * [Priorities](/wiki/priorities) - our main concerns and goals * [Media](/media) - upcoming events we're speaking at, our publications, and press coverage * [How Public Lab is Funded](/wiki/how-public-lab-funded) - A list of Public Lab funding sources * [Frequently Asked Questions](/wiki/frequently-asked-questions) * Public Lab on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/PublicLab) and on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PublicLab) ##Who We Are## Public Lab is a growing community that is open for all to [join](/join). However, there are seven staff and three board members that support this community. * [Public Lab Staff](/wiki/plots-staff) * [Public Lab Board of Directors](/board) * [Public Lab History](/wiki/plots-history) ##Support for Public Lab## Public Lab is made possible with support from: The [Knight Foundation](http://knightfoundation.org), via the [Knight News Challenge](/notes/warren/6-22-2011/public-laboratory-open-technology-and-science-receives-support-expanding-civi) [](http://knightfoundation.org) Patagonia, Inc's [Environmental Grants Program](http://www.patagonia.com/us/patagonia.go?assetid=2927) [](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/001/604/original/Patagonia_logo_high_res-web3.jpg) Our friends at [RackSpace](http://www.rackspace.com) [](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/001/607/original/Rackspace_Cloud_Company_Logo_clr.png) And with support from the [Shuttleworth Foundation](http://www.shuttleworthfoundation.org) [](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/001/608/original/Shuttleworth_Logo.jpg) Public Lab received generous early support from MIT's [Center for Civic Media](http://civic.mit.edu) [](http://civic.mit.edu) ---- ##Contact Public Lab Staff## The best way to get in touch is by emailing our staff list at [staff@publiclaboratory.org](mailto:staff@publiclaboratory.org). If you are trying to reach a particular staff member, please visit the Public Lab Staff page. If you need assistance with a kit purchase, please contact [retail@publiclaboratory.org](mailto:retail@publiclaboratory.org). For issues with the website, please contact [web@publiclaboratory.org](mailto:web@publiclaboratory.org). We receive mail at: Public Laboratory P.O. Box 426113 Cambridge, MA 02142 You can also call us at: 504-358-0647 or fax us at: 504-324-0401