From Cheerleader to Citizen Science Champion: How Darlene Cavalier is Democratizing Discovery
Darlene Cavalier’s childhood in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, unfolded along the banks of the Delaware River. The outdoors was her playground—swimming at low tide, discovering lost treasures among the honeysuckle, and soaking in the rhythms of nature. Though her mother, a single parent and future nurse, wasn’t steeped in science, she encouraged curiosity. That encouragement would become a quiet undercurrent in Darlene’s life—one that eventually surfaced in a profound way.
Discovering The Relevance and Power of Science
Science wasn’t part of her early identity. She was drawn to dancing and cheerleading, so much so that her mother half-joked it must have been her college major. After graduation, Darlene took a job stuffing envelopes for a company in Bucks County that handled Discover Magazine’s awards program. It was a job that demanded little but offered her everything. Reading the award entries—compact stories of recent scientific breakthroughs and their human impact—opened her eyes to the power and relevance of science. Phone calls with researchers, who assumed she was with Discover and treated her as a peer, further drew her in.
Her involvement deepened when Disney acquired Discover Magazine and she moved to New York to run the awards program. Yet, as a young mother enduring a grueling two-hour commute each way, she knew she needed a different path. A conversation with the magazine’s editor-in-chief changed everything. He suggested she return to school to explore how someone without a science degree could still contribute to the field. The idea resonated deeply.
“The world of citizen science—where everyday people can contribute meaningfully to scientific research.”
Darlene Cavalier
Darlene enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania and dove into a blend of disciplines: sociology, history, education, and government. There, she encountered the world of citizen science—where everyday people could contribute meaningfully to scientific research. She realized that, despite the slogan “science is for everyone,” systemic barriers kept most people at arm’s length. The science world often felt like a closed loop, inaccessible without academic credentials.
The Beginning of SciStarter
That realization sparked the creation of SciStarter. It began as a simple WordPress blog and a searchable database she curated herself. The vision was clear: build a bridge between professional science and the public. Today, SciStarter hosts thousands of projects, serves millions of users, and recently surpassed 200,000 subscribers.
Her foray into science was unconventional, and she embraced it. That spirit also gave rise to Science Cheerleader, a nonprofit born from her graduate school musings and her background in cheerleading—including a stint with the NBA. What began as a playful blog evolved into a community of hundreds of professional and collegiate cheerleaders pursuing STEM careers. They challenge outdated stereotypes and connect with the 3 million youth cheerleaders in the U.S., showing that traits like teamwork, resilience, and public speaking translate seamlessly into the sciences.
Her third major initiative, ECAST (Expert and Citizen Assessment of Science and Technology), was born from the same instinct: involve the public in the scientific and policy-making process. Whether weighing in on asteroid deflection strategies or nuclear waste storage, ECAST brings citizens to the table in shaping the science that shapes society.
“Science should be accessible, dynamic and genuinely participatory.”
Darlene Cavalier
Darlene has become a leading voice in defining what science engagement should look like—accessible, dynamic, and genuinely participatory. Her efforts have been recognized by National Geographic, which named her both Explorer and Fellow. That recognition was more than symbolic; it reflected a collaboration that brought SciStarter’s mission into global focus.
Her team, distributed around the world, sustains and inspires her. From Emma, who began as an undergraduate and now leads much of SciStarter’s operations, to Daniel, the original developer who was introduced by a foundation supporter and remains integral to the platform, to Caroline, who started as an enthusiastic volunteer, hosted hundreds of online SciStarter events during the COVID lockdown, and now has a PhD and mentors SciStarter team members—they’ve built more than a website. They’ve built a movement.
One Million Acts of Science
That movement includes campaigns like One Million Acts of Science, which in April 2024 alone engaged 1.28 million participants worldwide. More than just numbers, the campaign affirmed that people were ready to contribute if given a meaningful entry point. The strategy is simple but powerful: meet people where they are. Rather than promoting “citizen science” in the abstract, Darlene and her team partner with organizations like the Girl Scouts, tailoring projects to fit badge requirements and existing interests. Whether it’s a dog personality study or a weather tracking tool, engagement grows when the entry points feel familiar.
One project she holds dear is Stall Catchers, which enlists volunteers to watch short video clips of blood flow in mouse brains, identifying stalls that may be linked to Alzheimer’s. It’s a project that’s intuitive, impactful, and deeply personal for many participants. Data from SciStarter revealed that volunteers from Verizon alone contributed time equivalent to a full year of graduate student work at Cornell, where the project is based.
Overcoming Barriers to Science
Barriers to participation—like the need for special instruments—have led to creative solutions, such as partnerships with libraries. Now, a network of over a thousand libraries lend out citizen science kits and offer training. An upcoming ambassador program will train hundreds more community volunteers to introduce SciStarter in their regions, making the platform even more accessible.
Darlene’s work continues to expand globally. SciStarter Australia is in early development, supporting local citizen science projects and empowering students and researchers to engage the public. Her message is consistent: no one needs permission to participate in science. Whether someone has a PhD or a passing interest, they are needed—and the impact they can make is real.
For Darlene, motivation comes from watching others have that same moment of realization she once had: the discovery that science isn’t something happening behind a curtain—it’s something they can touch, shape, and contribute to. Her legacy is not just the platforms she’s built, but the millions of people she’s empowered to see themselves as part of the scientific story.
You can listen to Darlene Cavalier talking about her life in science on The Citizen Science Show Podcast.
