NASA Invites Libraries to Join Citizen Science Movement
📷 Image source: assets.science.nasa.gov
NASA is calling on libraries across the U.S. to become hubs for citizen science, offering free resources to engage communities in real scientific research. The initiative, part of NASA’s broader Science Activation program, provides libraries with toolkits, activity guides, and access to projects where patrons can contribute to space exploration and Earth science.
Libraries participating in the program can host events like planetarium shows, telescope viewings, and hands-on experiments. The goal is to make science accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, fostering curiosity and collaboration. Projects include tracking clouds for climate studies, classifying galaxies, and even searching for asteroids.
According to NASA, public libraries are ideal partners because of their role as trusted community spaces. The agency has already seen success with similar outreach efforts in schools and museums. Additional resources from the National Library of Medicine and local universities are being integrated to expand the program’s reach.
Interested libraries can sign up through NASA’s website, where they’ll receive training and materials at no cost. The initiative underscores NASA’s commitment to democratizing science and inspiring the next generation of explorers.
