The Science Rising Challenge Fund was created to help support nonpartisan projects that focus on elevating the role of science in the decision-making processes of our democracy. Below are the individuals and organizations, their projects, and how they plan on engaging their communities leading up to the 2020 election.
Learn more about the Science Rising Challenge Fund.
Sci4NY, Local Policy Engagement for the National Good
Ahead of the 2020 presidential election, Sci4NY is working to catalyze conversations on the intersection between current national and local science policy issues. To draw people into this experience, Sci4NY will work closely with local artists from different backgrounds and places in New York City to create science policy (SciPol) art for discussion. For updates, follow Sci4NY on Twitter.
Youth Environmental Activists! Minnesota (YEA! MN), Say “yea” to YEA! MN
YEA! MN will host workshops that help inform young people on environmental issues in their community and ways to take action. The webinar series will help participants gain a better understanding of ways to take action in legislation, build relationships with those engaged in activism and advocacy, and teach others. For updates, make sure to follow YEA! MN on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
University of Cincinnati Science Policy Group, STEM Awareness Through the 2020 Election
University of Cincinnati’s Science Policy group aims to engage potential voters about their power in voting and advance science so that young voters will be more likely to vote and leverage their voice in political discussion. This project is focused on using social media as a platform for voter engagement by creating a PSA video on the role of science in voter equity and providing voter resources and information about the upcoming election. For updates, follow UCSciPol on Twitter.
Megan Newsome, STEMocracy 101
STEMocracy 101 is a podcast focused on filling the gap STEM students face that hinders their civic participation by providing a resource that ties public policy and ethics to STEM fields. The podcast episodes will center on intriguing stories about the connections between civics and science while shining light on the ways STEM professionals can effect change for their communities. For updates, follow creator Megan Newsome on Twitter.
The Northeastern Section Younger Chemists Committee (NSYCC), The Chemistry of Voting: Making Your Voice Heard
NSYCC of the American Chemical Society will provide a platform for young chemists to become involved in governmental affairs. By hosting a workshop series that features seminars and group discussions, participants will be guided on how to vote in upcoming elections, discuss the impact that policies have on the chemistry community, and organize meetings with local representatives. Learn more about this workshop and follow NSYCC on Twitter.
March For Science New York (M4SNY), Vote For Science
M4SNY seeks to increase voter turnout in New York City, focusing on communities with historically low turnout and emphasize on the need to elect public officials committed to science-based policy grounded in social justice. Follow M4SNY on Twitter and check out the weekly online panel series that offers a non-partisan discussion on different topics which features a science/policy expert on the issue being discussed and a NYC-based community organizer working in the field.
PR-SPAN, Visibilidad y con Ciencia en Puerto Rico de cara a las elecciones 2020
CPR’s initiative aims to bring visibility on the import role of science in emergency management, education, technology, agriculture, and overall well being of Puerto Rico by providing an online platform for scientists and experts to inform the public on local issues and election information. Watch the webinar recordings on YouTube and follow Ciencia Puerto Rico on Twitter.
March for Science Southern Arizona, Science Voter Guide
By reaching out to political candidates in local elections, March for Science Southern Arizona took strides to inform the general public, including non-scientists, on the importance of science and evidence-based policy making. Read more about their voter guide on their website and follow the group on Facebook and Twitter.
Sci4NY, Encouraging STEM Students to Vote
In efforts to encourage STEM students to get more civically engaged, Sci4NY led a writing workshop for people in STEM to improve their skills and submit science policy op-eds to local news outlets. You can read examples of these op-eds that include Colorado must protect and support communities hurt by pollution by Dr. Ashley Anderson in The Colorado Sun and Trust in science to defeat COVID-19 by Dr. Elena Lucchetta in The Hill.
Massachusetts Science Policy Network, #WorcheterVotes
By increasing their digital presence on social media, MSPN delivered non-partisan voter information material about ballot basics, where to vote, how to vote, and main-in voting in Worcester, MA to local businesses and organizations in the Central MA area. Take a look at their Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for examples of these civic engagement memes.
EarthHacks, EarthHacks x The Green Program
Participants from all over the world attended an online hackathon aimed at increasing environmental justice education and literacy among university STEM students, and highlighting the ties between civic engagement and justice-focused, science-backed policy. Read about the hackathon and follow EarthHacks on Twitter.
Citizen’s Climate Lobby, Voter Turnout Initiative Project
The Voter Initiative Project aimed at increasing the electoral participation of undergraduate, graduate students in the STEM field, and young environmentalist by sending postcards to these targeted individuals encouraging and explaining the process of registration and voting in Texas. Over just a couple months, tens of thousands of people received voter information cards.
Shh… It’s Real, Voter Turnout Initiative
During Climate Week NYC 2020, the largest Climate Week on Earth, Pod Zero hosted by Chuck Nice, is a pop up podcast centered on STEM issues, including why students in the STEM fields are among the least likely groups to vote. Follow on Twitter for more climate related content.
John Hopkins Science Policy Group, STEMulate the Vote 2020
Students at John Hopkins went above and beyond to elevate the standing of science in policymaking through a series of virtual seminars, op-eds, social media campaigns, and soliciting science policy perspectives from Maryland congressional and local candidates. Checkout their website for more, including candidate questionnaire responses, and follow the group on Twitter.
Concerned Scientists @IU, Enhancing Scientific Engagement in the Indiana Heartland
CS@IU is a grassroots community and campus organization that brought a science advocacy workshop to students, faculty, staff, and community members of Indian University. The workshops addressed general issues of science communication as well as local advocacy work to engage new members in the advocacy process. Follow the group on Twitter to learn more.
People for Community Recovery, 2020 Civic Project
This 2020 Civic Engagement Project aimed to mobilize neighborhood youth around local environmental justice issues in the community through a series of workshops and conversations about civic engagement through an intergenerational approach. Learn more on their website and through Facebook.
Engaging Scientists in Policy and Advocacy, Scientists at the Ballot Box
STEM students in Michigan were provided a forum for discourse, encouragement of civically engaged practices, and resources necessary for casting an informed ballot in the 2020 Election and how STEM research can have direct application to public policy. Learn more and follow the group on Twitter.
Go Vote Indy, Civic Engagement Project
Focused on serving underserved communities, Go Vote Indy focused on voter access by offering free rides to the polls to underserved communities and voter education guides to STEM departments at local universities to increase civic engagement among STEM students. Check out their website for more information and follow the group on Twitter.