Science centers and museums and other science engagement organizations play key roles in supporting individuals and local communities to learn about and connect with science and technology.
Although you may not consider these institutions to be agents of civic change, they can bring many strengths to support people in reflecting on their lived experiences and perspectives on issues at the intersection of science and society. For instance, museums and other science engagement organizations often have physical and/or virtual venues for holding meetings or other events, scientific equipment to gather data, capacities for engaging diverse audiences, and expertise in scientific issues. They also have connections with local community-based organizations, philanthropic bodies, scientific institutions, and in some cases decision makers. Science engagement professionals often bring skills in grant writing, media relations, volunteer management, and marketing. Along with these assets, many museums hold values that are compatible with civic engagement, such as eliminating bias, building trust, and enabling equitable participation.
Science center and museums’ values and missions often focus on leveraging the power of science to improve people’s lives and support community action, which is exactly what Community Science Civic Engagement & Policymaking aims to do. For example, ASTC members’ mission and vision statements include:
“We envision a world where people embrace science and its methods to advance understanding, improve lives, and shape the future.”
“An empowered community that loves, understands, and protects our natural world.”
Additionally, some ASTC members directly state that civic engagement and policy work are central to the role they hope to play in their communities:
“We exist to turn on the science: Inspire learning. Inform policy. Improve lives.”
"We harness our voice as a scientific and cultural institution to positively impact policy and public opinion in support of thriving social and ecological communities—and by listening to, lifting up, and learning from underrepresented voices."
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science took this even further, starting the Institute for Science & Policy to specifically address civic engagement issues:
"A new paradigm for civil dialogue and scientific engagement in the policy landscape."
Finding Common Ground, Not “Neutrality”
Many people believe that science, and by extension science centers and museums, are and should be civically and politically “neutral.” But science is a human process carried out by people who inevitably bring perspectives and biases to the work. This means the process of science is embedded in, and reflects the biases of, broader society. Neutrality often disregards the reality of systemic oppression upheld by the scientific enterprise, whereas a common ground approach makes space to recognize this history, and by extension, the negative impacts science has had on marginalized communities.
Finding common ground means striving to create a space where all people can feel included and multiple perspectives are encouraged. Using the common ground approach can help science museums authentically address community priorities—and engage in discussion on complex issues—while sharing accurate information and advancing their missions.
The Building with Biology project created conversations in museums among scientists and public audiences about the emerging field of synthetic biology and societal implications.
Civic Engagement is Happening at Science Centers and Museums
Science centers and museums already lead a wide spectrum of civic engagement efforts that benefit the communities they seek to serve. The community-focused nature of civic engagement work is likely already well-aligned with other activities your organization is engaged in, like doing targeted outreach, offering free entry days, working closely with local schools, and educating the public about civically relevant science topics like climate change and public health.
The Carnegie Science Center and The Moonshot Museum are both founding members of the Keystone Space Collaborative, a nonprofit that holds advocacy as one of its core values. Recognizing the importance of space technology, manufacturing, and innovation to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia—and the United States’ future—the collaborative aims to attract, grow, and amplify the tri-state region’s space industry businesses and talent by bringing well-paying, high-tech jobs to a region transitioning away from older industries. This is just one example of how science engagement organizations directly, and as a part of larger collective efforts, engage with decision makers to improve local and regional outcomes and meet community needs.
The Science Alliance is a consortium of six science museums across Tennessee with a central goal of strengthening museum services and amplifying the impacts of individual institutions across their local communities. Since its founding in 1986, the alliance focused on legislation and tourism and engaged in advocacy efforts solely during budget season at the state legislature. The Discovery Center in Murfreesboro recognized that the Science Alliance could support them in expanding access to their museum, and that they could, in turn, support the alliance in expanding their impact. The Discovery Center joined the Science Alliance in 2012, and after becoming a member, advocated for the alliance to add an educational arm. The Science Alliance has since seen great success in attracting community support, including from corporations, foundations, and local businesses to fund and participate in a yearly statewide Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) festival. This festival provides families with opportunities to interact with science and art outside the walls of institutions like museums and universities, showcases the ways science and art show up in everyday life, and allows children to see examples of careers they could pursue.
The Institute for Science & Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science created a series of videos and articles entitled “Wolves of Colorado: Science & Stories.” The series was prompted by the passing of Colorado Ballot Proposition 114 in 2020, which instructed the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to formally reintroduce wolves to the state by 2023. This controversial measure passed narrowly, so this series explored Colorado’s reintroduction plan and covered topics concerning the values and costs of wolves. While not directly starting community dialogues or influencing policy, this series provides accurate information to the public so that they can make informed decisions about future wolf-related policies.
- Learn about finding the right civic engagement strategy for your museum: Every Museum Needs a Civic Strategy from the American Alliance of Museums shares stories of museums working to be civic spaces in their communities and offers different models for finding the right approach for specific contexts.
Geographic Focus
This toolkit primarily reflects the U.S. context, as its writers and the majority of ASTC members are based in the United States. However, it may also provide useful guidance and resources for fostering civic engagement initiatives worldwide. For example, the toolkit incorporates U.S. government terms and examples, but the principles and strategies outlined can be adapted and applied in various global settings. For those outside the United States, we advise you to consult local experts and authorities on specific laws and regulations pertaining to civic engagement, advocacy, and policymaking efforts in your respective geographies.
Distinguishing Advocacy and Lobbying
Advocacy is a form of civic engagement which encompasses any actions that help uplift or support the interests of a group of people. Your organization may already be involved in advocacy activities on its own behalf, such as participating in the American Alliance of Museum’s Museums Advocacy Day, which can be a powerful way to leverage federal funding for your institution. These same skills and connections can be used to advocate for community priorities. Your organization, for instance, can act as a crucial connector between community members who want to be heard and decision makers who need public input to make a positive impact.
Some forms of advocacy are allowed at nonprofit institutions with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status without limits. Restrictions on political activity for tax-exempt organizations only apply to lobbying, and even that is allowed within some limits. Gathering civically relevant data with your community and presenting it to a local legislator, providing opportunities for community members to share their stories, or holding a voter registration drive are all advocacy activities that do not count as lobbying under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) definition. Further, contacting legislators or their staff, or encouraging the public to do so, for the purpose of providing educational materials relevant to proposed legislation, is also not considered lobbying.
Canarsie residents enjoy a summer tour of Jamaica Bay aboard the CUNY 1, the Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay research vessel.
So, what does count as lobbying? The definition of lobbying from IRS states: “An organization will be regarded as attempting to influence legislation if it contacts, or urges the public to contact, members or employees of a legislative body for the purpose of proposing, supporting, or opposing legislation, or if the organization advocates the adoption or rejection of legislation.” This means that the vast majority of civic activities you are likely to engage in do not constitute lobbying, and therefore there are no legal limitations on them.
If your organization does want to participate in lobbying, it is generally advisable to consult a trusted tax expert or attorney to ensure compliance with IRS rules, such as the “substantial part” test. They may also advise you to take the 501(h) election, which allows nonprofits to measure their lobbying activities more specifically which can provide clarity on lobbying limitations. Taking the 501(h) election is often particularly advantageous for smaller organizations. Explore these resources for more information about advocating and lobbying as a nonprofit organization:
- Why Your Nonprofit Should Advocate from the National Council of Nonprofits is a brief article describing a few of the many reasons your nonprofit should participate in advocacy.
- Lobbying from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and Advocacy vs. Lobbying, Language Matters: Say What You Mean & Mean What You Say from Bolder Advocacy and Watson Strategies LLC provide more detailed definitions of lobbying.
- Taking the 501(h) Election from the National Council of Nonprofits describes in more detail this election, which can protect an organization’s nonprofit status while expanding lobbying activities.
What Role Can My Organization Play?
1. Fostering Civic Action
Educate, encourage, and support your local community in taking meaningful action.
2. Generating Data for Civic Progress
Produce, interpret, visualize, and/or disseminate data to inform decision making.
3. Contributing to Coalitions
Forge connections for action via or within existing coalitions.
4. Building Momentum and Refining Strategies
Connect community members and decision makers and strengthen strategies for lasting impact.