Citizen science: Home spectrometer And Big Data

Do it yourself spectrometer? Cell phone spectrometer add ons? Do it yourself aerial mapping with balloons and kites? Environmental data collection with citizen science devices could fill in some of the gaps created by government cutbacks, especially if combined with the NEON Big Data project. Public Laboratory has just raised more than five times their funding goal on Kickstarter  to build a library of open-source spectral data for use in their DIY spectrometers. The balloon mapping kits are already for sale. Their mandate:

"Using inexpensive DIY techniques, we seek to change how people see the world in environmental, social, and political terms. We are activists, educators, technologists, and community organizers interested in new ways to promote action, intervention, and awareness through a participatory research model.