Citizen Science Experience
Come do real science with real scientists in real environments where things are frequently wet, muddy, underground, or full of the kind of science you can't do from a desk.
Citizen Science Experiences put you directly into active Washburn CHAOS Lab field expeditions, where participants help collect the real samples used in ongoing research projects. Depending on the trip, you may even help decide what gets sampled as we investigate caves, microbes, geology, and the ongoing scientific mystery of “what the hell is going on here?” It’s basically science without the boring parts.
Ever wanted to do real science instead of just watching somebody point at a PowerPoint for an hour?
Washburn CHAOS Lab Citizen Science Experiences throw you directly into the field alongside actual researchers working on active scientific projects. Depending on the expedition, participants may help collect cave sediments, microbial swabs, environmental data, geologic samples, and other research materials used to investigate the absolute chaos happening where geology, microbiology, chemistry, and the natural world collide.
This is not a guided nature walk. Nobody already knows the answer. These are real research expeditions collecting real samples and real data that may eventually end up in conference presentations, outreach projects, and peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Every experience is different. One trip might involve crawling through caves hunting for underground microbes. Another might focus on strange geology, landslides, bizarre ecosystems, or the ongoing scientific question of “what the hell is happening here?” Along the way, participants learn field methods, research techniques, scientific documentation, and what science actually looks like outside of textbooks and crime shows.
Everyone who participates receives Washburn CHAOS Lab swag, may be featured on CHAOS Lab social media, and will be acknowledged in future presentations and scientific publications that utilize data collected during the experience.
No prior scientific experience is required. If you’re curious, reasonably functional outdoors, and willing to get muddy in the name of science, you’ll fit right in.
Whether you're signing up solo, bringing a class, organizing a club outing, attending a conference, or trying to give your company the strangest team-building exercise they've ever participated in, there’s a place for you in the field.
Before You Submit
Citizen Science Experiences are small-group, short-duration field expeditions led by the Washburn CHAOS Lab. Current experiences are day trips located in Kentucky and typically last approximately 3–5 hours.
If you are looking for a multi-day event, conference appearance, convention activity, classroom program, invited speaker, or large organized collaboration, please see the Invite a Scientist page or the Expedition Partner Program instead. However, Kentucky-based conferences and cave events such as Speleofest or Karst-O-Rama may still be appropriate for Citizen Science Experiences if the event would like to include a Citizen Science Experience as part of their guided day-trip field excursions and provides an experienced caver guide familiar with the sampling locations.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the meeting location or field site. Future experiences may involve caves, mud, uneven terrain, water, rocks, hiking, getting dirty, and carrying scientific equipment into places that were clearly not designed with comfort in mind.
Participants are responsible for their own personal safety, equipment, clothing, hydration, physical preparedness, and conduct during field activities. Additional waivers, liability forms, safety requirements, and participation agreements may be required prior to participation depending on the expedition location and activities involved.
This is an interest form for future Citizen Science Experiences. Submitting the form does not guarantee placement on an expedition, obligate you to participate, or obligate the Washburn CHAOS Lab to schedule or accommodate a trip. As opportunities become available and we are able to accommodate citizen science participants, we will send out information regarding upcoming expeditions, scheduling, availability, costs, and registration details.
Participation fees for future experiences may vary depending on location, logistics, supplies, insurance, and expedition requirements.
At this time, Citizen Science Experiences are intended for adults 18+. However, if you are the parent or legal guardian of a science goblin age 12+, feel free to fill out the form anyway and we can discuss whether a particular expedition may be appropriate.
Citizen Science Experience Information Request Form
Washburn CHAOS Lab
Science is metal. Science is feral. Science is CHAOS.
director@washburnchaoslab.com
#washburnchaoslab
© 2025. All rights reserved.
complex host and abiotic systems
@washburnchaoslab
Feral scientists exploring hostile systems, unstable environments, and the chemistry shaping what survives there.