POSSIBILITIES OF APPLICATION OF CITIZEN SCIENCE TOOLS IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS OF BIOLOGICAL FACULTIES OF UNIVERSITIES

Introduction. The iNaturalist platform is one of the world's largest biodiversity data collection projects, supported by National Geographic and the California Academy of Science. The main idea of the project is the broad involvement of amateurs in data collection, but the users of the platform are many professional scientists. It is professionals who regularly review new observations from other users to ensure cross-checking of definitions and data quality control. The logic of the work is as follows. A user (using a web interface or mobile app) uploads their observations as geotagged photographs (the most common data type, but audio recordings are also supported), after which other users confirm (or suggest their own) identifications of the taxon. A definition that is «agreed» by at least 2 users acquires «exploratory status» and subsequently becomes part of the GBIF Global Biodiversity Database. Thus, amateurs get the opportunity to learn about nature and make a real contribution to science, and professionals - a powerful source of data on biodiversity. Purpose. Justification for the feasibility of using the iNaturalist software with the possibility of creating personal profiles for teaching the basics of biology to students with the simultaneous use of data collected in the process of such training for the needs of world science. Methods. Theoretical and practical methods of analysis and synthesis of scientific literature, systematization and data analysis were used. Results. Global publication of biodiversity observations (including iNaturalist research-level data) is provided by the GBIF platform, which is the central repository of the world's biodiversity data. Thanks to this, every iNaturalist user, after confirming the definitions, can have a real scientific citation of his photo, which will be no less a legitimate scientific citation than an article in any scientific journal. These new opportunities are very helpful for scientists, especially in the conditions of limited movement opportunities during the war. After all, it is the amateur collection of biodiversity data that helps to find unique populations of species due to the colossal increase in the number of observers and their coverage of a large number of locations. The first attempts of including iNaturalist into separate teaching activities showed raised interest both among university and school students. It also made the work of the teacher more automatized and time-saving, offering the users (students) unique opportunity to indirectly interact with relevant professionals during the studying process. Originality. This approach will help the teachers of biology and narrower biological disciplines to engage students into effective and user-friendly way of getting new knowledge about the environment. This software so far has not been reported as any part of official teaching techniques in Ukraine. Conclusion. The article provides justification of using of iNaturalist software for providing practical biological education for target groups of students along with additional non-financial motivation of further involving them into citizen science activities.