For Immediate Release
Citizen Science Month Invites Millions to Help Power Discovery
2.50 Million Acts of Science campaign marks America’s 250th anniversary through public participation in scientific discovery
Philadelphia (March 18, 2026) — This April, people across the United States and around the world are invited to help power real scientific discoveries through Citizen Science Month, a global initiative showing how small public contributions can make a measurable difference.
Led by SciStarter, a platform connecting people to thousands of research projects, this year’s campaign aims to generate 2.50 Million Acts of Science—a goal inspired by the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. Each act can be as simple as identifying wildlife in online images, playing a game that helps Alzheimer’s research, or transcribing handwritten archives from the Smithsonian Institution.
CitizenScienceMonth.org highlights April events; SciStarter offers year-round ways to participate.
Acts of Science: Connected
In 2026, SciStarter launches Acts of Science: Connected, a new series of flagship events that brings people together to move science forward.
Each week in April, a live virtual event will spotlight one research project and the scientist leading it, inviting people everywhere to contribute together in real time. Libraries, museums, schools, and community partners will host in-person gatherings that livestream the events, while participants can choose an event, register on Zoom, and join from home. No prior experience is needed.
Weekly Acts of Science: Connected events include:
- Mars Weather — Help researchers analyze atmospheric patterns in Mars imaging
- Transcribing U.S. History — Make handwritten historical records searchable for research and public access
- Alzheimer’s Research Game — Help researchers identify stalled blood flow linked to Alzheimer’s studies
- Earth Day Animal Spot-A-Thon — Identify animals in wildlife images used in conservation science
- Exploring the Cosmos — Analyze astronomical images that support ongoing space research
These events are one way to participate during Citizen Science Month. Hundreds of events and thousands of projects are available through CitizenScienceMonth.org.
The impact can be immediate: during one past Citizen Science Month weekend event, volunteers generated data that would have taken scientists three and a half months to analyze. In 2025, more than 500,000 people participated across over 1,000 citizen science projects and events.
“Science is better when more people can participate. Citizen Science Month gives anyone, anywhere the chance to help advance discoveries that matter,” said Darlene Cavalier, founder of SciStarter and Professor of Practice at Arizona State University.
Creative Ways Communities Are Celebrating Citizen Science Month
Libraries, museums, schools, and community organizations are introducing people to SciStarter through hands-on events, loan kits, and local trainings led by scientists.
NASA Solar System Ambassadors and SciStarter Ambassadors are leading programs nationwide for families, students, and communities.
DarkSky International, Globe at Night, and NASA Night Sky Network are organizing star parties during Dark Sky Week (April 13–20) for constellation viewing, measuring light pollution, and observing nighttime bird migration.
In Philadelphia, patriotic window decals are being distributed through city kits for neighborhood block captains, encouraging residents to place them on outside windows to celebrate America’s birthday while helping prevent bird collisions during peak migration season as Acts of Science.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Citizen Science Month highlights science as a modern form of civic participation. The 2.50 Million Acts of Science goal invites people nationwide to contribute to discoveries that benefit communities and future generations. SciStarter is an official partner of America250.
Citizen Science Month is supported by partners including the Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences, the Smithsonian Institution, NASA, Cornell University, and others.
Support from the National Institutes of Health, the National Library of Medicine, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has helped expand participation globally and involve more than 1,000 public libraries.
How to Participate
Visit CitizenScienceMonth.org during April to:
- Join local and virtual events
- Find local projects
- Report and track Acts of Science
- Host a local event
Organizations interested in hosting events, partnerships, or sponsorships can contact info@SciStarter.org.
