Science as a Human Endeavor: Student Page
Science and engineering are the result of human effort, imagination, and creativity. People from all over the world engage in science and engineering. Participation by a wide variety of people in science and engineering can lead to a better understanding of how the natural world works and toward solving the problems facing individuals, communities, and the environment. Use this page to learn more about people who are scientists and engineers and explore opportunities to engage in science and engineering in your community and across the world.
This page features the following sections for each unit of the course:
Stories of Scientists and Engineers
This section highlights the personal stories, experiences, and work of a diverse group of people who are scientists and engineers.
Science in Communities
Use this section to find stories that highlight how people are working together with members of communities to address local and global challenges.
Community (or Citizen) Science
Science and engineering can be done by people of all ages and backgrounds—including you! Young people all around the world have made significant contributions to scientific projects. Investigate opportunities to engage in science and engineering with different projects.
Sustainability: Changing Human Impact
Stories of Scientists and Engineers
The following links highlight the personal stories, experiences, and work of a diverse group of people who are scientists and engineers.
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| Dr. Sean Cahoon, forest scientist | Dr. Miranda Hart, soil scientist | Dr. Angelica Patterson, plant ecophysiologist |
Science in Communities
The following story highlights how people are working together with members of communities to address local sustainability challenges.
Restoring Yurok forests and rivers using traditional knowledge
Community (or Citizen) Science
You may wish to participate in an already existing community (or citizen) science project, like one of the projects linked here.
CoCoRaHS: share your measurements of backyard precipitation
Stream Selfie: map a stream in your area and test its water
Or you may want to consider ways in which to collaborate with others to create your own project, with support from one of the following websites.
Create your own community (or citizen) science project:
Plan a BioBlitz using materials from the National Geographic Society
Contribute to Citizen Science Month in April
Ecology: Living on Earth
Stories of Scientists and Engineers
The following links highlight the personal stories, experiences, and work of a diverse group of people who are scientists and engineers.
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| Dr. Jessica Hernandez, indigenous scientist | Dr. Chris Schell, urban ecologist | Dr. Nicola Smith, marine ecologist |
Science in Communities
The following story highlight how people are working together with members of communities to address local and global ecological challenges.
Maine fisheries rally to reduce their carbon footprint and increase sustainability
Community (or Citizen) Science
You may wish to participate in an already existing community (or citizen) science project, like one of the projects linked here.
City Nature Challenge: share your observations of local plants and animals
Great Backyard Bird Count: contribute to an annual survey of birds
Great Sunflower Project: collect data on pollinators in your area
iNaturalist: share your observations of living organisms
Or you may want to consider ways in which to collaborate with others to create your own project, with support from one of the following websites.
Create your own community (or citizen) science project:
Plan a BioBlitz using materials from the National Geographic Society
Contribute to Citizen Science Month in April
Cells: Improving Global Health
Stories of Scientists and Engineers
The following links highlight the personal stories, experiences, and work of a diverse group of people who are scientists and engineers.
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| Noor Al Alusi, epidemiologist | Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi, microbiologist |
Science in Communities
The following stories highlight how people are working together with members of communities to address local and global health challenges.
Mississippi Heat: How Jackson is planning for a dangerously hot future
The heat is on: Phoenix searches for a sustainable and healthy future
Community (or Citizen) Science
You may wish to participate in an already existing community (or citizen) science project, like one of the projects linked here.
Etch a Cell: help analyze images from an electron microscope
Monkey Health Explorer: identify white blood cell types in monkeys’ blood
Project Acari: collect and submit a tick to track disease
Or you may want to consider ways in which to collaborate with others to create your own project, with support from one of the following websites.
Create your own community (or citizen) science project:
Plan a BioBlitz using materials from the National Geographic Society
Contribute to Citizen Science Month in April
Genetics: Feeding the World
Stories of Scientists and Engineers
The following links highlight the personal stories, experiences, and work of a diverse group of people who are scientists and engineers.
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| Dr. Barbara McClintock, geneticist | Dr. Asuncion Raymundo, plant biologist/microbiologist | Dr. Pamela Ronald, plant geneticist |
Science in Communities
The following story highlights how people are working together with members of communities to address local and global challenges.
Midwestern farmers using cover crops to reduce erosion, improve soil and fight climate change
Community (or Citizen) Science
You may wish to participate in an already existing community (or citizen) science project, like one of the projects linked here.
Darwin’s Ark: share information about your pet
Eterna: play an online game to advance medical research
Phylo: play an online game to contribute to genetic disease research
Or you may want to consider ways in which to collaborate with others to create your own project, with support from one of the following websites.
Evolution: Managing Change
Stories of Scientists and Engineers
The following links highlight the personal stories, experiences, and work of a diverse group of people who are scientists and engineers.
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| Dr. Winter Beckles, evolutionary biologist | Dr. Pardis Sabeti, medical geneticist |
Science in Communities
The following story highlights how people are working together with members of communities to address local and global challenges related to human impacts on evolution.
“Exploring the social-ecological drivers of regional biodiversity in cities”
Community (or Citizen) Science
You may wish to participate in an already existing community (or citizen) science project, like one of the projects linked here.
Fossil Atmosphere: count cells in modern and fossil leaves
Journey North: share observations that contribute to determining patterns of wildlife migration and seasonal change
SquirrelMapper: share your observations of squirrels
Or you may want to consider ways in which to collaborate with others to create your own project, with support from one of the following websites.
Create your own community (or citizen) science project:
Plan a BioBlitz using materials from the National Geographic Society
Contribute to Citizen Science Month in April