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.

About me
Dr. Sean Cahoon, forest scientistDr. Miranda Hart, soil scientistDr. 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.

Christopher Schell | Our Environment at BerkeleyAbout me
Dr. Jessica Hernandez,
indigenous scientist
Dr. Chris Schell, urban ecologistDr. 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.

Noor Al Alusi, epidemiologistDr. 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.

Dr. Barbara McClintock, geneticistDr. Asuncion Raymundo, plant biologist/microbiologistDr. 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.

Dr. Winter Beckles, evolutionary biologistDr. 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