Projects with Civic Engagement Extensions
Acts of Science go far beyond helping research. They help build knowledge, strengthen communities, and inspire action. From snapping photos of nature and identifying animals online, to transcribing museum specimens, helping NASA classify space telescope images, playing games that accelerate Alzheimer’s research, or measuring air, water, and light pollution — there’s a way for everyone to contribute, anytime, anywhere.
To get the most out of participating, we recommend you:
Choose a project
We’ve made it easy to get started by highlighting projects that reflect civic engagement and environmental stewardship. The projects below span topics from community health to service and conservation. Open the dropdown menus to explore suggested projects:
Community Health Projects
Monitor Light Pollution – Globe at Night
Measure the night sky brightness.
Anytime
Anywhere
Data, Policy, Other
Monitor Outdoor Air Quality – Aircasting
Monitor air quality with the help of an AirBeam monitor.
Anytime
Anywhere
Data, Policy, Other
Monitor Water Quality – Tampling
Identify water quality concerns with low cost DIY sampling devices.
Anytime
Anywhere
Data, Policy, Other
Monitor Noise Pollution – Sound Around Town
Measure noise and identify how it impacts you and others.
Anytime
Anywhere
Data, Policy, Other
Track Epidemics – Outbreaks Near Me
Help track epidemics of flu and COVID-19 by answering one question.
Anytime
Anywhere
Data, Policy, Other
Accelerate Alzheimer’s Research – Stall Catchers
Play an online game to categorize Alzheimer’s disease data.
Anytime
Anywhere
Data, Policy, Other
Community Service Projects
Identify Accessibility Problems – Project Sidewalk
Help identify pedestrian pathway obstacles and damage from anywhere.
Anytime
Anywhere
Data, Policy, Other
Prevent Future Litter with Litter Journal
Clean up litter and document what you find to help prevent future litter.
Anytime
Anywhere
Data, Policy, Other
Unveil American History with the National Archives – Transcription Mission
Digitize records in the National Archives to bring new historical knowledge to light.
Anytime
Anywhere
Data, Policy, Other
Gather Precipitation Data for the National Weather Service – CoCoRaHS
Measure the night sky brightness
Anytime
Anywhere
Data, Policy, Other
Wildlife & Nature Conservation Projects
Monitor Pollinator Health – The Great Sunflower Project
Watch a flowering plant, record pollinators, report online
Anytime
Anywhere
Light pollution, Astronomy, Environment
Track Seasonal Changes – Nature’s Notebook
Observe and share seasonal changes in plants and animals.
Anytime
Anywhere
Phenology, Plants, Wildlife
Create an Inventory of Biodiversity – iNaturalist
Take photos of wildlife and upload to the largest volunteer-led database of biodiversity.
Anytime
Anywhere
Biodiversity, Wildlife, Photography
Analyze Camera Trap Images – Cedar Creek: Eyes on the Wild
Analyze camera trap images from the American Midwest to monitor wildlife behavior and travel.
Anytime
Anywhere
Biodiversity, Wildlife, Photography
Optional Civic Engagement Pathways
- Advocate for local ordinances that protect biodiversity and green spaces. View the National League of Cities – Environment & Sustainability and Lights Out Campaign for Safe Bird Migration for examples and support.
- Join or start community clean-up or habitat restoration events. The following programs provide strong examples and resources:
Attach Civic Engagement Activities
Civic Engagement for Community Health
- Share a project with public health departments as a helpful resource for evaluating health. For instance, inform a local public health office of Outbreaks Near Me, which could provide them sufficient data to track and manage outbreaks of flu and COVID-19.
- Share water quality results with local watershed associations or park departments. See the EPA Local Watershed Groups Directory for guidance.
- Share health and/or environmental quality data with public health departments or local universities, such as through the National Association of County and City Health Officials – Find Your Health Department
- Advocate for clean air zones, safer sidewalks, or less light pollution. Find resources through the following programs:
- Collaborate with neighborhood associations on health awareness campaigns. See the CDC Community Health Resources for guidance.
- Present findings at city council meetings to support climate resilience planning. Consider guidance through ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability and U.S. Climate Action Network
Civic Engagement for Community Service Projects
- Use data gathered by the project to advocate for change in your community.
- Investigate if your local library has records that would benefit from digitization.
- After a litter clean up, use the data to advocate for
Civic Engagement for Nature and Wildlife
- Advocate for local ordinances that protect biodiversity and green spaces. View the National League of Cities – Environment & Sustainability and Lights Out Campaign for Safe Bird Migration for examples and support.
- Join or start community clean-up or habitat restoration events. The following programs provide strong examples and resources:
Register your Event or Program on SciStarter
Visit SciStarter.org/add-event to register your event. This will enable us to share your efforts with America Gives during America 250!
Not ready to build your own event just yet?
We know capacity varies. Before you dive into planning a full event, consider these flexible, low-lift options:
- Promote citizen science with posters, displays, or take-home flyers that complement your current STEAM programs. Visit the Promotional Resources page to get started.
- Leverage existing events by signing up as a Satellite Host for a live Zoom event produced by SciStarter—There’s one every week in April (Citizen Science Month!) or join Do NASA Science LIVE!
Join us in making every library program count as an act of science, an act of service, and an act of celebration for America’s 250th!
Thank you to our partners!
