UMass Amherst Libraries Host Exhibits, “Seeds of Time” and “Citizen Science for the Common Good”
Seeds of Time
February 16 – May 29, 2026
Science & Engineering Library
Opening Reception: March 1, 3-5 p.m.
This exhibition, Seeds of Time, explores the microscopic world of seeds and what they can teach us about ecology, anatomy, agriculture, and evolution. The images, taken through macrophotography and scanning electron microscopy, highlight the complex evolutionary history of seeds and the role of seed anatomy in the propagation of plants. The diversity of shapes, sizes, and textures of seeds enables us to identify them, even when burned and buried thousands of years ago, allowing archaeologists to draw insights into the complex relationships between people and plants in the past.
Citizen Science for the Common Good
February 16 – May 29, 2026
Science & Engineering Library
Opening Reception: March 1, 3-5 p.m.
What could we achieve is everyone participated in research? Explore the possibilities with Citizen Science!
Citizen Science spans a wide variety of subjects, research goals, volunteer tasks, and potential for discovery. From meeting a new galaxy named Steve to delving into the mystery of how mixing flour and water can create sourdough, there are opportunities for exploration all around us. When the whole community can engage with research, the scope of questions we can ask and answers we can find expands exponentially.
This exhibit features several specific research projects, as well as several ongoing data collection projects. Some of the research projects are closed: they have answered their research question or the data have all been analyzed. Some of these projects are championed by the University Libraries.