Fireflies (or lightning bugs) delight children with their eerie lights on warm summer nights. However,  firefly populations are unsteady and fireflies may be disappearing altogether.

The Farifax County-based Children’s Science Center is asking the families of Northern Virginia to become “Citizen Scientists” and participate in a firefly observation/count.  The Children’s Science Center has partnered with Museum of Science, Boston, and researchers at Tufts University and Fitchburg State College, to gather information about the firefly population in our area with the goal of protecting the fireflies and learning more about the health of the species.

Operation Firefly begins June 29 and will run through July 31. Families are asked to choose one evening a week to observe fireflies in their backyard or in a nearby natural area, record their observations and upload the information to the Firefly Watch page of the Children’s Science Center website.

The website also has tips on how to observe the fireflies, more information about the insects and their predicament and a list of books about fireflies for all ages.

"The goal of Operation Firefly is to provide a seasonal educational program that brings families together and encourages children to learn through hands-on activity, think critically, and play outside," said Nene Spivy, chair of the Children’s Science Center Board of Directors. "The Children's Science Center is dedicated to sparking children’s interest in science and this program is a great way to foster the natural scientist in all of them."

Families who participate in Operation Firefly will be invited to the Operation Firefly Finale Party during the second week in August.  At the finale party, participants can see the results from the data collected, meet the scientists plus play games and listen to live music. In addition, all of the Citizen Scientists will earn a certificate of participation.