Abstract
While our understanding of the Universe seems to be expanding much like the Big Bang, there seem to be fewer
and fewer new people dedicated to gathering, interpreting, and disseminating scientific astronomical data. In this
paper I present a plan to create “Certified Citizen Astronomers”, i.e., the development of a curriculum where
people of all ages and backgrounds can develop robust photometric, astrometric, and spectroscopic techniques
so that they can participate more fully in the astronomical adventure.
