Be Part of 2.50 Million Acts of Science for America250
This April 2026, STEM education providers across museums, afterschool networks, libraries, and community organizations have an opportunity to incorporate real scientific research experiences during Citizen Science Month.
SciStarter and partners including the Smithsonian Institution, NASA, Cornell University, Arizona State University, and the Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences are working toward a shared goal of 2.50 Million Acts of Science in celebration of America’s 250th birthday and you’re invited to be part of this collective goal!
What Is an Act of Science?
Acts of Science are simple, quick, and meaningful. Examples include sharing nature observations, helping scientists sort images online, or transcribing historic documents from a library or from home. Every act helps advance real research and learning. Every action supports real research while deepening STEM learning.
Citizen science makes it possible to collect and analyze data at a scale that scientists cannot do alone! (Check out this free, self-guided, interactive training from the award-winning instructional designers at ASU, for a deeper dive: Foundations of Citizen Science.)
How Your Organization Can Get Involved
Host an Acts of Science: Connected Event in April 2026
Bring people together to participate in one project!
Acts of Science: Connected events are two-hour events where we provide the science and you provide the people and space! We’re pairing our virtual events with your in-person gatherings to make science social!
Each week in April we’ll feature a different citizen science project and the scientist leading the research. People can register to join the zoom event from anywhere. But what makes this special is YOUR effort to host in-person gatherings where you’ll stream the event (you’ll need a large screen and audio). That’s it!
We’ll introduce the project and scientists and walk you through the steps to get involved in the featured project. Your guests will be able to ask the scientist anything as we work on the same project, at the same time, across hundreds of locations, together!
SciStarter provides the streaming event, printable guides, and support. You provide the space and the audience.
If you cannot host in-person, simply promote the events so participants can join from home and contribute to the national goal. Download this flyer to share with your community.
These events are open to all ages and are best suited for participants ages 13 and up. Every contribution counts toward the 2.50 Million Acts of Science. Participants need a device and wifi to join.
Integrate Citizen Science into Your Existing Programs
Already offering STEM programs in April? Just add citizen science!
- Anytime, any place: Choose ANY citizen science project or event featured on SciStarter.org (we’re open all year long!).
- Dark Sky Week, April 13 to 20, 2026
If you are hosting astronomy programs or partnering with amateur astronomers, promote projects that monitor light pollution and support safer bird migration. Learn more here.
- Earth Day, April 22, 2026
Invite participants to log biodiversity observations, track local environmental changes, or contribute to climate-related research. Find projects here.
- After school clubs and drop-in activities
Here are projects that don’t require any transportation. Incorporate image classification, biodiversity logging, or archival transcription into your regular sessions. You can find ready-to-use resources at SciStarter.org/education.
Why This Matters Now
April 2026 marks America’s 250th birthday. As an official partner of the America250 initiative, SciStarter is helping communities across the country contribute to 2.50 Million Acts of Science. This effort highlights curiosity, civic participation, and the power of working together.
Participating organizations will may be recognized on the Wall of Fame throughout the month! Just report your Acts on CitizenScienceMonth.org or use #ActsofScience on social posts to report your Acts.
Your Call to Action
- Choose your pathway: Decide how your organization will participate and register your event on SciStarter.org/add-event .
- Complete free training: Build the skills and confidence to facilitate citizen science experiences. Optional
- Promote Citizen Science Month: Download flyers, bookmarks and more to share with your community.
- Report Your Acts: Beginning April 1, log your contributions to contribute to 2.50 Million Acts of Science.
April is your moment to strengthen and expand your STEM programming.
Let’s reach 2.50 Million Acts of Science together!
