The team at Engineers and Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL) has developed a brand new offering, launching publicly this April. We will be hosting our first ever course on local civic engagement, available on-demand. Designed for learners with STEM backgrounds, this comprehensive course provides instruction on civic actions learners can take locally and provides them the tools they need to get started.
Since 2017, ESAL has been providing information and inspiration on how to get active locally. From stories on our blog about people in STEM who are deeply involved in their communities to our playbooks that provide step-by-step guidance on how to engage with state and local governments, we have been a trusted source of guidance for the STEM community. In 2025, we launched ESAL Community, an online community-building platform to help connect civic-minded scientists and engineers with one another, learn together, and build capacity for local action.
With the upcoming release of our first course offering, we aim to provide a centralized and comprehensive toolkit for learners looking to act locally for the first time or enhance their local engagement.
Over the years, ESAL has given many workshops on local civic engagement at professional meetings, conferences, and with science policy groups. Our team has seen learners become empowered by these workshops to learn more about their local communities and what civic engagement options are available to them. We wanted to expand who could access this type of experience and provide a more comprehensive look into what local civic engagement can be.
Although civic education exists in many forms, ESAL’s course is specifically tailored to the needs of people in STEM. From a discussion on how to fit civic engagement into your life to specific advice on using your STEM background to make a difference in your community, our course provides tools grounded in the experience of scientists and engineers. Learners will hear from community and civic leaders from a variety of STEM backgrounds, sharing why local involvement is meaningful to them and how they have fit civic engagement into their lives. Each has played an important role in their communities and they share a roadmap for you to do it too.
ESAL’s inaugural course is entitled The Local Civic Engagement Toolkit for People in STEM. The course will empower learners with information on civic structures, examples of effective civic engagement, and tools to take action.
The Toolkit features people with STEM backgrounds that are engaged in their communities in diverse ways. From participating in campaigns to change policy, to running for local office, to facilitating community science projects, our speakers will share wisdom from acting civically and provide grounded advice on how you can enhance your involvement. ESAL’s Workshop Director, Chris Jackson, narrates the course, providing instruction to guide you through core concepts and ideas.
Throughout nine video modules, learners will dive into four main themes that are essential for preparing to act locally:
Each video module is paired with exercises that help learners take action. Learners will receive active guidance on how to increase their connections to their communities by trying new things and making new connections.
Learners will have access to course materials in a supportive place to learn and grow. The Toolkit will be integrated into our online platform, ESAL Community. This community of civically-engaged people in STEM presents an opportunity for learners to connect with people across the country active in their communities. Learners are encouraged to ask questions and start building the relationships they need to enhance their civic engagement journey.
Current members of ESAL Community will have the opportunity to sign-up for access to the course at any time. Those who support ESAL Community with a paid membership can sign-up at a discounted rate.
ESAL will launch the course in early April. Stay tuned for updates on our social media channels and within ESAL Community, including the trailer release!
If you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, and ensure you receive an invitation to sign-up, fill out our interest form to get updates sent to your inbox!
Our mission at Engineers and Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL) is to empower more people in STEM to increase their local civic participation. With the Local Civic Engagement Toolkit for People in STEM, we are adding to our offerings of instruction and support to build a community that is more confident in acting locally.
