Acts of Science with SciStarter at Your Library
In partnership with the Collaborative Summer Learning Program, SciStarter provides opportunities for libraries to take STEAM to the next level with Acts of Science through Citizen Science.
Program Overview
Turn curiosity into discovery! Acts of Science are simple, fun activities that answer big scientific questions. By observing nature, exploring space images, reporting local weather conditions, and more, your library patrons become part of real research that shapes our understanding of the world.
With SciStarter, anyone can contribute to science in everyday life—whether it’s helping scientists study pollinators, tracking environmental changes, or transcribing historic documents. These small acts make a big impact, and your library is the perfect place to start.
What are Acts of Science?
SciStarter.org hosts thousands of “citizen science” projects that invite the public to join meaningful research. Each project includes clear, step-by-step instructions, making participation easy for all ages.
Acts of Science are the actions volunteers take in these projects—simple, engaging activities suitable for beginners and experts alike.
Examples to Share at Your Library:
- Document Nature with iNaturalist – Take photos of plants, animals, or insects and share them with scientists using a free app.
- Share Your Weather with iSeeChange – Record local weather and its community impacts using an easy journal app.
- Explore Space Images with Zooniverse – Help researchers identify features in planetary images from space missions online.
- Transcribe Historical Documents – Turn handwritten archives into searchable text by transcribing online.
- Count Pollinators with the Great Sunflower Project – Observe bees and other pollinators and record your findings to help track population health.
- Help Advance Medical Research with Stall Catchers – Analyze short video clips of blood flow in mouse brains to help scientists study Alzheimer’s disease. No experience needed—just watch, click, and contribute!
➡ Use Event Recipe Cards for these and other projects!
APRIL 2026:
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by joining the 2.50 Million Acts of Science Challenge this April during Citizen Science Month with SciStarter. Activities on CitizenScienceMonth.org make it easy: track local weather like Benjamin Franklin, document plants and pollinators as early naturalists once did, or help scientists understand public health trends through online projects. Every Act of Science honors America’s history of curiosity and innovation—while shaping the discoveries of tomorrow!
Why Bring Acts of Science to Your Library?
Because it’s fun, free, and meaningful! These projects spark curiosity, build STEM and digital literacy skills, and connect your community to real research in space, nature, history, health, and more. Your library becomes a place where people don’t just read about discoveries—they help make them.
Why It Matters
Every observation, photo, or note from your community helps scientists protect nature, understand climate change, improve public health, explore space, preserve history, and more. Small actions add up to big discoveries—and it all starts at your library.
How SciStarter Makes It Easy
SciStarter offers free, turnkey resources for libraries:
How to Get Started
- Create a Free Account: SciStarter.org
- Join the Library Network: scistarter.org/go/library-network
- Explore Resources: SciStarter.org/library
- Take Quick Trainings:
- Foundations of Acts of Science: SciStarter.org/training-foundations
- Libraries as Community Hubs: SciStarter.org/library-training
- Foundations of Acts of Science: SciStarter.org/training-foundations
- Plan & Promote Your Programs: SciStarter.org/library-plan-promote
Key Resources
Program in a Box – Pollinators
Background: Help identify where pollinators are declining and how we can help improve their habitats. We need pollinators. They help produce more than one-third of our food!
Age group: All ages, children 13 and under will need an adult to help submit data.
Event timing and location: 1 hour, including prep time; Outdoors near a flowering plant, or indoors by a window with a clear view of one.
Program Stages:
Prepare
- Review the project’s instructions on SciStarter
- Gather optional materials*
- Stopwatch
- Binoculars
- Supplemental educational worksheets and coloring sheets (access from project page)
- Bee Observation Cards or Local Field Guides
- Seeds from Pollinating Plants
*These materials are associated with the Observing Pollinators Kit. Learn more.
Set the Stage
- Introduce the concept of citizen science and SciStarter using Foundations of Citizen Science facilitator slides and guide.
- Have participants create accounts on SciStarter.org.
- Discuss the importance of pollinators using the educational materials, and discussion prompts.
- Review the observation and data collection protocols. Allow time for questions.
- Practice using optional binoculars and a stopwatch.
Collect Data
- Find a flowering plant to observe.
- Count pollinators that visit that plant within five minutes. Do your best to identify the types of pollinators as well.
Remember, seeing no pollinators is also a data point!
Take Action
- Discuss what you observed as a group.
- Submit your data to The Great Sunflower Project.
- Decide what you’re going to do next, like plant more pollinating plants!
* If your participants are under the age of 13, you may need to gather and submit their data.
This page was developed in partnership with the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) to help libraries integrate citizen science into summer library activities. These activities and resources can also be found on the printed 2026 Summer Reading catalogue, presented by CSLP. The Collaborative Summer Library Program is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps public libraries spark a love of reading. Through shared resources and collaborative committees, CSLP makes it easier and more affordable for libraries to host high-quality summer reading programs that enrich their communities. Any profit from the sales of materials is reinvested into our organization to make summer reading better for our member libraries and those they serve.