Machine learning is a form of artificial intelligence where computers use data to learn new things. Share the infographic with students and ask them to describe machine learning in their own words. Then ask them to explain how iNaturalist uses machine learning to identify different species of organisms. Ask: How can machine learning contribute to citizen science?

Have students work in small groups to research machine learning online. Ask them to find at least one additional example, other than iNaturalist, of how machine learning contributes to citizen science and present their findings to each other. Then ask them to envision a new citizen science project that uses machine learning and create an infographic to describe that project.

Consider also enrolling in National Geographic's free online course, Learning Through Citizen Science. Educators will gain experience with global citizen science and learn from National Geographic Explorers how to engage students of any age. Sign up for the course in English here or in Spanish here.